Life, 1908-11-12 · page 23 of 24
Life — November 12, 1908 — page 23: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **product advertisement**, not political satire. The "Wonderful Experiment" demonstrates Rubberset's durability claim: a shaving brush has been literally sawed in half, yet continues functioning with no bristles lost after a year of use. The advertisement contrasts Rubberset brushes (bristles set in "hard vulcanized rubber") against competitors' inferior products (using "glue, rosin or cement"), which shed bristles easily. The dramatic image of hands holding the bisected brush serves as visual proof of the product's superiority. This appears in *Life* magazine's advertising section—a common venue for brand testimonials. The text emphasizes durability and lifetime value while undercutting competitors' claims. There is no political or satirical content; it's straightforward commercial persuasion typical of early-to-mid 20th-century product marketing.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
it rites, thy of * The orts of rve the ass of ike it oth of spark- pecify Wonderful Experiment . This is an actual photograh of an actual test. It shows a Rubberset Shaving Brush sawed in two—through bristles and all—leaving just a half brush. In this condition it could be used as well as a whole one. _ Not a bristle could be loosened— not one could be pulled out at any angle or by any means. Even boiling and soaking failed to make any impression on the setting of the bristles, because the bristles of all RUBBERSET TRADE MARK Shaving Brushes are set in hard valcanized rubber which hclds them together in one solid base. This half-brush has been in daily use for over a year and has never lost a bristle. What would happen if you should try this experiment with an ordinary brush whose bristles were set in glue, rosin or cement ? . . The name on every Rubberset brush guarantees it. Why bother with bristle - shedding brushes when Rubberset brushes cost no more and last a lifetime ? Rubberset Shaving Brushes are sold at all dealers’ and barbers’, in all styles and sizes, 25, 50, 75 cents to $6.00. If not at your dealer’s send for book from which to order by mail. To the average Man we commend the $1 brush. Co not accept any other brush that is claimed to be as good. Berset Shaving Cream Soap softens the beard without rubbing with the hands. Doesn’t dry, doesn’t smart. 25 cents a tube at all dealers’, or dizect by mail. Send 4c. in stamps for sample tube worth 10 cents. THE RUBBERSET COMPANY, Seles Officer Main Office, Factory and Laboratory: METROPOLITAN TOWER, NEW YORK CITY FERRY ST., NEWARK, N. J. Branch Offices—Boston, Chicago, Sen Francisco, Montreal. THE WILLIAMS PRINTING COMPANY comicbooks.com