Life — July 2, 1908 — page 11: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This is a **permanent weather bulletin** satirizing an extreme heat wave. The cartoon depicts workers at what appears to be a fire department or industrial facility suffering from "continued drought" and "hot wave" conditions, with "torrid winds" and "blistering" heat. The joke plays on the contrast between expectations and reality: one figure asks another if he "prayed for a hot summer," and the response is that while they hoped heat would help business, they didn't anticipate such extreme conditions. The caption mentions measuring someone "for one of our eternal fleece-lined xxxxx summers"—likely referring to winter underwear, sarcastically suggesting people will need heavy clothing even in summer. The satire critiques unbearable urban heat conditions during what was apparently a notable heat wave.