Life, 1905-08-03 · page 2 of 44
Life — August 3, 1905 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains **four automobile advertisements**, not political cartoons. The ads showcase early 1900s vehicles: 1. **American Mercedes** - emphasizes European engineering (built from Daimler plans in Germany), priced at $7,500 2. **Cadillac** - highlights "safety of operation" and low maintenance costs 3. **Rambler** - features innovative throttle control integrated into the steering wheel 4. **Autocar** - advertises simple "pair of reins" steering control system The ads reflect the nascent automobile industry's competitive positioning. Rather than satire, they demonstrate how manufacturers marketed technical innovations to wealthy early adopters. The emphasis on safety, control simplicity, and reliability suggests consumer concerns about these relatively new, unreliable machines. Prices ($2,800–$7,500) indicate these were luxury items for the wealthy.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
VOLUME XLVI. NUMBER 1188, Now York price, 015000 The 40-45 American Mercedes—1 H.P. to every 50 pounds. Built from same plans and same materials as are used by our parent Company, The Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft of Unterturkheim, Germany. Send for booklet giving full information. Daimler Maurfacturing Cao. 953 Steinway Avenue, Long Island City, N. Y. New York City Garage, 10 West 60th Street. The hand that steers also controls the power The Rambler throttle is opened or closed by the fingers of the hand that rests on the steering wheel. Every forward movement of the car, from top speed to a complete stop, can be regulated by this means alone. This’ simplicity of control secures positive safety for every Rambler owner. This feature is only one of the many points of Rambler superiority. The rest will be mailed you on request. Surrey, Type One, illustrated above (without top), $1350 complete with lamps, tools, etc. Cape top, $125 extra. Other models, $750, $850, $2000, $3000. Thos. B. Jeffery @ Co., Kenosha, Wis., U.S. A. Branches: Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia. New York Agency, 14 W. 38th St. Representatives in other leading cities. A Cadillac may safely be stopped, and can easily be started, while clim the steepest grade—one of the many performances which show the safety of operation and demonstrate the unus power of the Cadillac. Chief among the notable features is its remarkably D J low cost of maintenance. This economy is manifest not only inthe cost of fuel and lubrication, but in repairs; for the Cadillac comes near to being actually ¢rowble-proof, Never failing serviceableress makes it the most satisfactory cat to own; thorough excellence of workmanship and time-tried principles of construction make it the most economical. Model F—Side Entrance Touring Car, shown above, $950. Plow Touring Car with detachable Tonneau, $900. Mod Light. stylish, powerful Runabout, civieed seats $750, Model D—Four-Cylinder, 30 h. p. Touring Car, $2,800. All prices f.0.b. Detroit. CADILLAC AUTOMOBILE Co. Detroit, Mich. Tr New AUTOCAR Control | Simple As a Pair of Reins The control of nis XI Autocar brings automobile driving to the simplicity of horse feering wheel, and 10 Torte rare this caf ata gearshift ever and an mergeney brakelener atthe leh of the driver’ The wear ahi levers howeter” yen particu nila or il ary at lg rarely requ ene of the Rakds ia driving Type XI Autoc Tula ear has four cylinder vertical motor of 16-20 horve power, double de en-rance tonne od the smartest lines of any car. yulet a Fanning while baving great power in proportion ideal car for the man who wants an Up to-date, po excewive weight. The price of Type X1 is ‘atalogue giving full descrintion of 1t And abo of 1ype X Kunabout @i, and Type VIII Tonnea $1400, togetter with name of dealer nearest you, sent free upon request THE AUTOCAR COMPANY, ARDMORE, Pa. Member Association Licensed Automobile Manufacturers