Life, 1909-08-05 · page 43 of 44
Life — August 5, 1909 — page 43: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **commercial advertisement**, not political satire. The page promotes Hartford Tires, a real automobile tire manufacturer based in Hartford, Connecticut. The imagery depicts a winged tire (suggesting speed and quality) alongside vintage early-1900s automobiles, with an illustrated woman in period dress pointing toward the product. The visual metaphor of wings suggests reliability and superior performance. The advertisement's messaging targets motorists by emphasizing practical benefits: durability ("The Tires That Last"), economy, and driving comfort. The copy positions Hartford Tires as premium quality, contrasting them against cheaper competitors ("Do not accept the 'just as good' kind"). This reflects early automotive-era marketing when tire quality significantly affected vehicle performance and safety. The company lists multiple U.S. branch offices and agencies, indicating substantial national distribution during what appears to be the 1910s-1920s period. There is no political commentary or satire present on this page.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
a THEY RIDE EASIER— THEY SAVE YOUR CAR— THEY LAST LONGER lotorists are awakening to the fact that REAL QUALITY in an auto mobile tire means more than longer life. It means added r saving in wear and tear on your car, and increased comfort and satisfaction in ng. The old experienced driver has long known that HARTFORD TIRES are to be preferred from every standpoint of economy, satisfaction and comfort. “The Tires That Last” are pre-eminently the quality tires of the world, fast and resilient and long lived, They are constructed of the very best materials only, by advanced methods and machinery (widely copied) est exclusive tire factory in this country by workmen skilled through years of training with us. “Keep the Quality Up ” RD TIRES. ot the “just as good "* kind. RD RUBBER WORKS COMPANY ay DETROIT, 256 Jefterson Ave. . Michigan Ave. DENVER, 1564 Broadway PHILADELPHIA, 1425 Vine St. ATLANTA, GA., 94 North Pryor St BOSTON, 817 Boylston St. BUFFALO. 725 Main St. lid Ave. lis; Mercantile Lumber & Supply nanslor & Lyon Motor Jen Gate Avenue. San ompania Mexicana de ELT Te comicbooks.com