Life, 1910-07-28 · page 40 of 40
Life — July 28, 1910 — page 40: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not satire or political commentary**—it's a straightforward product advertisement from Life magazine (July 28, 1925), promoting the Pro-phy-lac-tic toothbrush. The page uses comparative claims common to early 20th-century advertising: it contrasts ordinary toothbrushes (which "merely brush surfaces") against the Pro-phy-lac-tic's supposedly superior design. The ad emphasizes scientific endorsement ("only scientific brush"), features like shaped bristles that reach between teeth, and a curved handle for better access. The "yellow box" mentioned repeatedly served as brand identification and sanitary protection. Appeals to dentists and physicians were standard marketing tactics meant to lend medical credibility. The format—with diagrams, testimonial-style text, and competing claims—represents typical early commercial advertising that blurred claims between cleaning effectiveness and implied health benefits. No satire is present; Life's pages mixed editorial content with such advertisements as standard practice.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Do You merely brush your teeth or do you really ( SP AMOI a PEI ordinary tooth brush merely brushes the surfaces — The Pro-phy-lac-tic is made in one shape only, because that is the only shape that can do_per- fect work. focth brushes, cleans betwee: the teeth | There is only one tooth brush i that cleans the teeth in the way your dentist will tell you they t should be cleaned. | This brush is the Pro-phy- | | | | The Shaped Bristles The tufted bristles TT phy-acetic reach be teeth, The ordinary tooth brush cannot clean these crevis where food lodges and causes decay unless removed. The bristles of the Pro-phy-lac-tic are arranged to fit both the arch of the tecth and cach individual tooth. — The ¢ high tufts at the end are for the efficient cleaning of the back teeth Each Pro-phy-lac-tic, when hung on its hook, quickly dries always clean, The spaces between the tufts at their bases permit airing of the bristles and keeps the brush sanitary. (It is most unsanitir to keep tooth brushes in tumblers or other receptacles.) The Yellow Box Is Your Protection Th distinctive yellow box in wtis cach Pro-phy-l P en th lac-tic. It is the only scientific brush, made toclean teeth quickly and H thoroughly. The curved handle gives perfect i access to all parts of the mouth, especially i the back of the teeth which are inaccessible to the ordinary tooth brush. To Dentists and Physicians s packed Leing steri toilet stand, The texture and identifying number of each brush are marked on the box. T box affords a simple but positive means of avoiding cheap and often worthless su touch with you, it “ : THE STYLES ARE to send any de . : PRo-VHy-1.Ac-TIC—This is the original Pro- PRO-PHY-LAC-TIC SPHCTAL— New ‘ handle, made in three handle, 3 sizes: Adult's, i, GRBs POUR and child's, ase. Adult's, 35¢.; youth's and peo miyeracric Dk Luxe —Delicates Larger brush, four rows colored, transparent, flexible handles id handle, adult's size only, oc, Adult's'size only, goc. Three bristle textures—soft, medium and hard—in all styles Sold by druggists and dealers in toilet supplies everywhere. If your dealer does not sell the: phy-lac-tic, we will deliver, postpaid, on receipt of price. Send for booklet “Tooth Truths.” “Tells what you ought to know about Teeth and Tooth Bro FLORENCE MEG. CO., 187 Pine St., Florence, Mass. Sole makers of Pro-phy-lac-tic Tooth, Hair, Military, Hand and Lather Brashes t i| t Always Packed in the Yellow Box comicbooks.com