Judge — August 7, 1920 — page 2: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This cartoon depicts a nighttime roadside scene where a couple has stopped their car for what appears to be a picnic or rest. A woman on a blanket speaks to a man (Tom), while two children stand nearby looking at the automobile. The caption reads: "Don't you think we ought to start down, Tom? It's getting late and we might have some tire trouble." "You forget, my dear; we have a full tank—Springfield as the car now." The satire targets automobile reliability and marketing claims. The joke hinges on "Springfield" (likely a car brand), suggesting the vehicle's supposed superiority makes tire trouble impossible—an absurd exaggeration of advertising promises. The woman's practical concerns about travel safety are dismissed based on brand confidence alone, mocking both overconfident marketing and consumer credulity about mechanical guarantees.