Life, 1905-05-25 · page 21 of 26
Life — May 25, 1905 — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The central cartoon shows a former bicycle manufacturer, now reduced to begging on a roadside, apologizing to motorists for his presence. A car and cyclist pass by; the man explains he "used to be a bicycle manufacturer" but "the craze for automobiles has brought me to this." The satire targets the rapid technological displacement of the 1900s. The bicycle industry, once thriving, was being obliterated by the automobile boom. Life magazine is mocking both the speed of this economic upheaval and the callousness toward workers left behind—the man must apologize for his own obsolescence. This reflects genuine anxiety about industrial change during the Progressive Era, when new technologies routinely destroyed entire trades overnight, leaving skilled workers destitute with no social safety net. The joke's dark edge comes from presenting this catastrophe as almost comedic inevitability. The page is otherwise advertisements for luxury goods—hats, champagne, whiskey—highlighting the ironic juxtaposition: while some industries boom, others collapse completely.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Kid Gloves. OFT, Elastic, Durable. Silk Gloves. Remarkable for Finish and Beauty 31 years on Broadway CENTEMERI gtt Broadway, just above zoth St. Telephone, 1135 Gramercy. The Man Who Cares for what is best, and yet cares not to uch, b A.J. & Co. Athletic Goods We are headquarters for everything pertaining to athletics of the better ARTHUR JONNSON & CO. 55 W. 42d St,, N.Y. THE Var = MADE LINEN 15¢ EACH ROYAL: 27 IF YOUR DEALER WONT SUPPLY YOU, WRITE US EMIGH & STRAUB-Dept CC.TROY,NY HAS HROUGHT ME TO THUS ORIVEN TO IT. 1M SORRY TO TROUBLE VOU, GENTLEMEN, OUT THE CRAZE FOR AUTOMORILES 1 USED TO BE A BICYCLE MANUFACTURER, i} | Patronize American industries. Wear a KNOX | the creation par excellence of the nation. Spring styles now ready. Ag ii [po ' Unparalleled Achievement! \ ‘G.H.MUMM & C0.’S CHAMPAGNE 131,330 CASES | The GREATEST quantity ever imported by any brand in the history of the Champagne trade. \ | Regarding Champagne Importations in 1904, | Bonfort’s Wine and Spirit Circular of Jan. 10, 1905, says: “ Messrs. Fredk. de Bary & Co. brought over last | \ year to this side of the water a greater number of cases of Champagne than has ever hitherto _/ ‘been known, and these importations speak in the strongest terms of the great popu- Y/ lar esteem in which G. H, MUM \“ 'S Champagne is held on this continent." MANS HATS You Youmans Hats are versatile— there’s a style for every face and every fancy ——— 1107 Broadway 158 Broadway 086 Fifth Ave. Ladies* Department 088 Fifth Avenue ‘New Yor ewing, stitching, crocheting, art needlework, Mountmellick and Hardanger embroidery. Send qc. in stamps for our booklet, ‘Lessons in broidery.”’ Address Corticelli’ Silk Mills, 46 Nonotuck St., Florence, Mass. OLD CROW RYE reson WHISKEY sore sornens, new vor. comicbooks.com