Life, 1908-10-01 · page 43 of 44
Life — October 1, 1908 — page 43: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a full-page advertisement, not satire or political cartoon. It promotes Baker Electric Vehicles from Cleveland, Ohio, showcasing five different models (Runabout, Queen Victoria, Roadster, Landaulet, and Inside-driven Coupe). The ad reflects early 1900s automobile competition, when electric vehicles rivaled gasoline cars. Baker emphasizes electric cars' advantages: simplicity, reliability, no repair bills, no cranking or freezing issues, and efficiency. The phrase "Simplicity means Reliability" was their corporate principle. For modern readers: this reveals that electric vehicles were once mainstream competitors, not recent innovations. The ad's emphasis on lack of maintenance and no "arc or freeze" (electrical arcing or engine freeze-up) addresses genuine concerns of the era. Electric cars eventually lost to gasoline vehicles due to better range and refueling infrastructure—not inherent superiority.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Standard of Electric Vehicles The carriage for every-day service—no matter what the weather. The simplest to operate—the safest to The Automobile without a repair bill. The Car with a motor and controller which require no attention, and that will not arc or freeze. The highest expres- sion of modern elec- trical and mechanical engineering com- bined with nine years’ experience in progressive The Ma- chine with a : x {= : - Electric Au- factory behind it which produces quality. The pride of the maker. The pride of the owner, The Electric recognized as the most efficient in the world. The Automobile with the fewest parts and fewest adjustments. Baker Electric Vehicles Baker Electrics are built on the principle that tomobile con- struction. driven “Simplicity means Reliability” _ Let us send you our catalog showing a complete line of fifteen different models of Baker Electrics, The Baker Motor Vehicle Company Agencies in all principel cities. 33 W. 80tk Street, Cleveland, O. THE WILLIAMS PRINTING COMPANY comicbooks.com