Life, 1909-07-01 · page 43 of 44
Life — July 1, 1909 — page 43: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **full-page advertisement**, not a political cartoon. It promotes Hartford brand automobile tires to early 20th-century motorists. The ad features a woman in period clothing pointing at a large tire, with vintage racing cars illustrated behind her. The marketing message emphasizes three selling points: easier riding, car protection, and longevity—positioning Hartford as superior quality versus cheaper competitors ("Do not accept the 'just as good' kind"). The ad appeals to both **practical concerns** (economy, durability, comfort) and **male anxieties** about automobile maintenance. The woman figure appears designed to make tire-buying seem accessible to all motorists, not just experienced drivers. The Hartford Rubber Works Company lists branches across major American cities, indicating this was a national brand during the automobile's early mass-adoption era. There is no satire present—this is straightforward period advertising emphasizing product quality and brand reputation.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THEY RIDE EASIER— THEY SAVE YOUR CAR— THEY LAST LONGER Motorists are awakening to the fact that REAL QUALITY in an auto- mobile tire means more than longer life. It means added resilien: ing in wear and tear on your car, and increased comfort and satisfaction in dri The old experienced dri as long known that H. ORD TIRES are to be preferred from every standpoint of economy, satisfaction and comfort. HARTFORD TIRES “The Tires That Last” minently the quality tires of the world, fast and re: t and long lived. t materials only, by advanced methods and machinery (widely copied) —in the oldest exclusive tire factory in this country by workmen skilled through years of training with us. Our watchword is “* p the Quality Up." Insist on HARTFORD TIRES. Do not accept the “just as good ** kind. THE HARTFORD RUBBER WORKS COMPA HARTFORD, CONN BRANCHES: NEW YORK, 57th St. and Broadway DETROIT, 256 Jetterson Ave. CHICAGO, 12th St. and Michigan Ave. DENV! 1564 Broadway PHILADELP! 25 Vine St. ATLANTA, GA., 94 North Pryor St. BUFFALO, 725 Main St. comicbooks.com