Life — September 9, 1909 — page 2: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Stearns Automobile Advertisement This is **not satire or political commentary**—it's a straightforward advertisement for the Stearns automobile, published in *Life* magazine. The page promotes the Stearns as "The Ultimate Car," emphasizing durability (good for 60,000 miles), reliability, and conservative design philosophy. Key selling points include: no yearly model changes (owners keep cars longer), low steel content reducing costs, and a powerful double-carburetor engine. Two vehicle illustrations show the car's design: a limousine version (top) and a chassis with toy tonneau body (bottom). The "White Line Radiator" is highlighted as a Stearns feature. The ad includes a call-to-action ("Please mail me the Catalog No. 22") from the F.B. Stearns Co., Cleveland, Ohio—typical early-1900s automotive marketing targeting affluent buyers seeking practical luxury vehicles.