Life, 1910-10-06 · page 47 of 60
Life — October 6, 1910 — page 47: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a satirical poem titled "Ahead of the Game" by A.C. Palmer (left column) that mocks the rapid pace of consumer obsolescence in early 1910s America. The poem's speaker complains that everything he owns—watches, golf putters, fountain pens, even his horse—has become outdated almost immediately by newer models. The humor lies in the absurdity: a 1900 watch is "hopelessly outclassed" by a 1912 fob, and his 1915 horse can't keep up with friends' 1915-stride mounts. The satire critiques consumerism and manufacturers' artificial creation of "newness" to drive sales. Ironically, the page is surrounded by advertisements (Rauch & Lang carriages, Chartreuse liqueur) promoting their own products as superior. The "After Newport—What?" section briefly mocks wealthy socialites' trivial complaints, noting society women fainting from exhaustion—a satirical jab at upper-class leisure. The page reflects Progressive Era anxiety about materialism and corporate manipulation of desire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Ahead of the Game (Accent automobile advertisement “Th iot Cars are Here.”) Of curse we get the magazines ks before they're due; ch us cre Two wet fhat cvening papers re Thw morning’s half way through But erto, for other things We've always had to wait; Now time is out of joint—at least The date is out-of-date The case is plain enough. The hat Of 1910 won't do, When on my foot I place with pride A 1913 shoe. My good old watch of 1900 Is hopelessly outclassed By this new fob of 1912— It’s in to-day, at last. My 1911 putter’s done— T've had it several weeks, I just can’t put it in the ba With 1914 clecks. My horse, good luck, is three years old— Of course I cannot ride Along with friends whose mounts all have The 1915 stride My fountain pen of 1910 Itself no more refills; I've just—good-by, here comes a batch OF 1920 bills. 1. C. Palmer The Original and (enuine Chartreuse has always been and still is made by the Carthus- fan Monks (Péres Chartreux), who, since their expulsion from France, have been located at Tar- and, although the old labels and icinated by the Monks have been ad- Jodged by the Federal Courtsof this country tobe Mill the exclusive property of the Monks, their work! renowned product is nowadays known as Liqueur Peres Chartreux ND YELLOW GREE + LIFE: A Perfect Harmony of Artistic Detail One master-body-builder constructs the entire body of a Rauch & Lang car. One master-artisan does all the interior finish- ing. One master-painter does the painting. Three men perfect each Rauch & Lang body. And it takes three months—this thorough way of ours—to finish a body complete, ready for the chassis. But every door and window fits to a nicety, the broadcloth and trimming are placed perfectly, the ceiling is done beauti- j fully, ‘the upholstering is comfortable and After Newport—What ? In our sympathies for overworked hu manity we have entirely overlooked th: Newport vie Why allow class feel ing to interfere with brotherly love? Isn'ta fai nt whether it happens over the sewing machine or the lobster The result of one week's activities is summarized in the following bulletin: Fainted: Mrs. French-Vanderbilt, Mrs. $83 the exterior finish is equal to that of the finest pianos made. In short a Rauch & Lang car is a perfect whole of exquisitely artistic and skilfully executed details. Absolutely efficient, quietly stylish. Our agents in any of the principal cities will gladly demonstrate. Or we'll send a catalog, fully descriptive, on request. The Rauch & Lang Carriage Co. 2271 West 25th St. :: Cleveland, Ohio serviceable and William E, Carter, Mrs. Reynolds Hitt Mrs, Reginald C. Vanderbilt Il: Mrs, Pembroke Jones, Mrs. Leon urd N. Thomas, Mr. Reginald C. bilt, Mr. William E. Carter. * Biddle. espite the physical Vander Recovering It is regrette suffering brow usements ht on by such primitive barefoot dancing and our sociol and hu- © not as yet been dis- turhed to the point of planning a sani- for the victims of Newport —Suecess. tariun