Life, 1909-09-30 · page 32 of 32
Life — September 30, 1909 — page 32: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **product advertisement**, not political satire. It uses a humorous anecdote to sell Colgate's Ribbon Dental Cream. The "joke" is that a young boy, given a tube of dental cream to use, ate the entire contents instead of using it properly—and wished the tube had been three feet long. The advertiser presents this as charming proof of how "delicious" their product is ("Isn't that like a Boy!"). The ad then pivots to practical selling points: the ribbon design dispenses efficiently, lasts three months with proper use, and contains 15 feet of cream. The appeal emphasizes that quality dental hygiene products for children should taste good enough to make brushing pleasant. This reflects early-1900s marketing strategy: making dental care appealing to children by emphasizing flavor and product design rather than medicinal taste. The anecdote, whether true or invented, serves as customer testimony from a dental authority.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
COLG@TE’S ERIBBONDENTOREERERN 5 ° An Amusing Incident (Told by a Dentist) “COLGATE & CO. Dear Sirs: Thank you for calling my atten- tion to your Dental Cream. Preventative dentistry for children is my special work, and I am delighted to know of such a delicious denti- frice for young people. One little boy ate the contents of the tube which I asked his mother to get for him, remarking to me the next day : ‘Say, Doctor, I wish that tube had been three Feel long.’”” Signed by a former President of a State Dental Association (Name en application.) Isn’t that like a Boy! There is actualiy—in each tube If he had used it properly—(one inch twice daily) it would have lasted 3 months. Peed and antiseptic, the dentifrice that combines efficiency Delicious 374," delightful after-taste. Your mouth does not necd to have a medicinal taste, and it won't if you use Colgate’s. (1)More Cream—almost half as much again as in - ant. It gives a pearly lustre to the average tube. (2) Less used—half as much - = ie the teeth and a perfect cream comes out of our flat opening as from usual _ polish to gold work. Destroys decay-germs, round-mouth tube. (3) No waste—our flat ribbon _ stimulates gum tissue and prevents tartar. of cream cannot roll off the brush. Economical Colgate economy is shown not only i Cream Ribbon Tube, but also 1909 Model Talc Powder Sifter, which concentrates and regu lates the flow of powder. COLGATE & CO. Dept. 32, 55 John St. comicbooks.com