Life, 1909-03-25 · page 2 of 36
Life — March 25, 1909 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Hartford Tires Advertisement Analysis This is primarily a **commercial advertisement**, not political satire. It's a full-page ad for Hartford Tires from The Hartford Rubber Works Company (Hartford, Connecticut), appearing in *Life* magazine. The ad features: - A large tire as the central image with wings (suggesting reliability/flight) - Early automobiles in the background - A well-dressed woman in period clothing (appearing to be 1910s-1920s era) pointing toward the tire - Marketing copy claiming Hartford Tires "last" longer than competitors The appeal targets experienced motorists and suggests consulting longtime drivers about tire quality. The tagline "The Tire That Lasts" emphasizes durability—the key selling point for early automotive tires, which were prone to punctures and deterioration. This is straightforward product marketing without satirical commentary.