Life, 1907-05-09 · page 19 of 24
Life — May 9, 1907 — page 19: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct elements: satirical artwork on the left and a Ford advertising feature on the right. **Left side ("Life's Prints"):** Three photogravure artworks by named photographers depicting social hardship—"Friends in Affliction," "Starving in the Midst of Plenty," and "Half Past Supper Time." These appear to document poverty and hunger, likely reflecting early 20th-century concern with urban social conditions. The framing as "prints" suggests Life magazine's role documenting American social issues. **Right side ("Ford Sound Logic Talks"):** This is essentially an advertorial defending the $600 Ford Model N runabout against criticism that its lightweight construction made it unsuitable for rough roads. Ford argues lightness equals strength through superior materials (vanadium chrome steel), comparing durability to hickory wood. The piece challenges readers to test-drive the car against heavier competitors. The juxtaposition is striking: images of deprivation facing an optimistic pitch for an affordable automobile—reflecting the early automotive era's promise of mass mobility alongside persistent economic inequality.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
EE | “A room without pictures is like a room without windows.” = | FORD==TALKS | § $600 Runabout No. 5 Get the { Is No Mollycoddle oe LIEB?’ Ss PRINTS ALTHOUGH THERE ARE 5,000 Ford runabouts now in use | | in all parts of the world, on all kinds of roads, doing all | It is ratifying to the kinds of work, in the hands of all kinds of drivers, having eob ere co know that all kinds of care, and lack of care, yet we are sometimes they are going rapidly asked “are they not too light for usage on country roads?” | posiitaclidah oeldanki COUNTRY ROADS ARE EASIER on a motor car than are | 7 : the broken asphalt pavements, the car tracks and the cobble- But that’s aside from the question. stone streets of the city Here's a direct answer: THE FORD CAR IS LIGHTER by several hundred pounds than any other car of similar power. THAT LIGHTNESS IS ITS GREATEST STRENGTH—it is the customer's assurance of quality. ‘To obtain lightness with strength we must use the best material procurable. We do. Vanadium Chrome steel is the toughest material known. It is now used in Ford cars. It is made exclusively | for Ford. I THE TOUGHNESS OF A HICKORY WITHE is a good i FRIENDS IN AFFLICTION comparison for Ford runabouts. Flexible—but unbreak- Alter Nesbitt Benson able. | Photogravure in Black, 15 by 20 in. 50 cents IF TIRE-MAKERS WOULD GUARANTEE all tires to be of uniform quality, we could guarantee 15,000 miles on a set i with this car—it has been done in many cases. That's | where lightness spells economy. HERE'S A SUGGESTION: Just to show how this car will stand hard usage, ask your nearest Ford agent for a 40 or 50 mile high-speed demonstration over the roughest roads you know. Then ask some friend to bring his 40 or 50 or 60 horse-power touring car and see if he can follow you. The result will be surprising—and perhaps expensive to your friend. You'll buy a Ford. Capri 196 by Le Rod ca, IN THE MIDST OF PLENTY Alter W. B. King Photogravure in Sepia, 15 by 20 in. $1.00 STARVIN Model N 4 cylinder. 15h. p. 1050 Ibs. The sturdiest thing on wheels. $600 f. o. b. Detroit A WORD TO AGENTS: W. wnt agents in all te where we at represented. Actomalle Arrocyin te weld Any aecd agent conse Farce: Bure ead sec we eldce FORD MOTOR COMPANY sie Hey suena 16 PIQUETTE AVENUE, DETROIT, MICH. Photogravure in Brown, 20 by 15 in BRANCH RETAIL, STORES: New York. Phiadcie, Boon, Chieeo. Bufo S00 spd Angee dasbae oe Callens ‘Canadian trade supphed by Ford Motor Company LIFE PUBLISHING COMPANY, 17 West 31st Street, NEW YORK Ccomicbooks.com