Life, 1904-08-04 · page 22 of 36
Life — August 4, 1904 — page 22: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two separate satirical pieces from Life magazine: **Top Story: "Von Blumer and the Automobile"** A newly wealthy man (Von Blumer) purchases one of the earliest automobiles but cannot operate it. His wife mocks him; he angrily insists he knows what he's doing. A repair man arrives and solves the problem instantly—Von Blumer had simply forgotten to turn on the electrical current. The satire mocks nouveau riche pretension and male ego: Von Blumer blames the machine rather than admit ignorance, then recklessly drives his terrified wife at dangerous speed to prove his competence. **Bottom: "Poster Joke"** A visual pun dialogue comparing theatrical posters to puzzled politicians. The humor plays on "fence" (both literal fence boards and political fence-sitting) and references to stage actors and footlights—period vaudeville/theater humor now obscure to modern audiences. Both pieces satirize early-20th-century American social anxieties: rapid technological change, class aspiration, and masculine pride.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
‘LIFE: SOWHY, JACKIE A BLACK HEN LAID A WHITE EGG 2” TO SEE you DO IT." lutely nothing. One must expect this sort of thing.’ He turned the crank confidently, All was silence. He turned it again—and again—and again. Silence. Then he examined critically each cog-wheel. He felt of all the wires. He pressed the hose, Then he turned the crank again. Mrs. Von Blumer leaned against the barn door, as, re- gardless of his clothes, he threw himself on his back and looked up at his new purchase from that humble attitude. “T guess,” she said, ‘that your old machine is no good. I don't believe it knows how to go."" Her desperate husband, maddened by his disappoint. ment, sprang to his feet and faced her. “WOMAN !" he exclaimed, ‘this is too much. Here I purchase, merely for your pleasure, one of the finest automobiles in the world, and just because I haven't got acquainted with every infinitesimal detail, you act like a baby. But I'll show you, You just wait !"” He rushed into the house, and rang up the repair man. What he said does not matter. But in the space of thirty minutes the repair man rode leisurely up on his wheel. He led the way to the barn. He pressed a button. He turned the crank. And there again was the old familiar “*chug,”’ “chug."* “How did you do it?’ said Von Blumer, a trace of humbleness in his voice. The repair man smiled. “T guess,"’ he said, ‘tyou forgot to turn on the current. You want to put that switch back.” “OF cou id Von Blumer, with tears in his eyes. “IT knew there was nothing the matter with that machine. Come, my dear, get in, and I'll show you what it can do.” Mrs. Von Blumer, her face pale with fear, but game to the last, got in, Von Blumer pressed a lever. They were off. Down the road they went at a great pace, They switched around corners. They dashed along turnpikes. “How is it?’’ said Von Blumer, as, with his teeth clenched, one hand grasping the steering apparatus, the other on the clutch, he bent forward like a jockey win- ning arace. Onandon they went. It seemed as if they were covering the whole State. Have you any idea where we are going?” “ Splendid ! “sav! WHY ARE THOSE POSTERS LIKE A PUZZLED POLITICIAN?”” “ puNNo."” “BECAUSE THEY'RE ON THE PENCE. AND SAY! WHY ARE THEY LIKE AN ACTOR WHO LIKES HIS JOB? BECAUSE THEY'RE STUCK ON THE EOARDS—AND—"* “say! Look HERE! WHY ARE YOU LIKE AN ACTOR WHO NAS JUST GOT mis cur?" “ cive rt up.” “WELL, IT'S BECAUSE YOU'D BETTER GET OUT BEFORE THE FOOT LIGMTS."” comicbooks.com