Judge — January 7, 1922 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This is the cover of *Judge* magazine's Automobile Show special issue from January 7, 1922. The illustration shows people in a speeding car with wind-blown hair and clothing, depicting reckless driving. The caption reads: "Five miles an hour more and she'll be kissing me!" with the subtitle "Step on it, Boy, step on it!" The satire plays on contemporary anxieties about automobiles as dangerous, exciting modern technology. The joke targets young drivers' recklessness and the car as a venue for courtship/sexual impropriety—both controversial topics in the 1920s. The illustration suggests speeding as thrilling but perilous, mocking drivers who prioritize romance and excitement over safety. This reflects broader cultural tensions about automobiles' social impact during the early automotive era.