Life, 1897-08-12 · page 20 of 20
Life — August 12, 1897 — page 20: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **bicycle tube advertisement** disguised as satirical commentary, published in *Life* magazine (likely early 1900s, based on the bicycle-focused content and typography). The cartoon compares two scenarios using visual metaphor: - **Left bag (75,000 lbs)**: represents the weight/cost of using standard 25% carbon steel tubes - **Right bag (53,000 lbs)**: represents savings from Pioneer's 50% carbon steel tubes The satire criticizes manufacturers who won't spend an extra $1.00 per wheel on superior safety materials. The rhetorical question "Gold, eh?" sarcastically asks: what is money compared to your life and health? The text argues that penny-pinching on bicycle construction contradicts claims about prioritizing safety. It's a **moral argument dressed as humor**—shaming manufacturers (and consumers who accept inferior products) for prioritizing profit over the safety margin that quality materials provide. This reflects early 1900s advertising's use of *Life*'s satirical platform to shame competitors and consumers toward premium products.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ie eo ") lo ° te o oe ° oe oe oe 9 3 3 ° o 3 o a) 3 es is ‘o o SCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC EEE . 3 y. SINNER y OR 15. 000 LBS. GOLD, EH? What Is Gold to the Loss Of Your Lite or Health? A bicycle properly made of the best material is probably the very safest meansof conveyance. Counting doctor's bills for ourself and bicycle there is no economy in any other. The safety mar- pin is small, however, and any departure rom this standard means danger. The picture shows the gain in safety by using “PIONEER” Tube in the bicycles it costs the maker about $1.00 more per wheel to do it. How can you hesitate to insist upon having it in your new wheel? Cana bicycle be honestly considered really safe whose maker would not sacrifice a dollar to the cause of greatest safety? Sup- Pose, as is consistent, he pursued the same Polley in other materials spat would me of your safety margin? NO FLAME CONTACT. NO EXCESSIVE HEATING. NO PICKLING. POPE TUBE CO., Hartford, Conn. “PIONEERS" in Correct Composition, RICHARD K. FOX PREG, NEW YORK.