Life — February 2, 1905 — page 2: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This page is **not a political cartoon or satire**—it is primarily **automobile advertising** from February 2, 1905. The page contains four car advertisements: 1. **Packard** (top left): emphasizes their focus on touring cars 2. **Oldsmobile** (top right): advertises multiple models with prices ranging from $650-$1400 3. **Locomotile** (bottom left): a gasoline touring car priced $2800-$5000 4. **Northern** (bottom right): markets their touring car as "the acme of mechanical simplicity" These ads target wealthy buyers interested in automobiles—still a luxury novelty in 1905. The illustrations show early motorcar designs with open seating and primitive engineering. There is no satirical content; this reflects the period's genuine excitement about automobile manufacturing as a major American industry.