Life, 1911-01-05 · page 4 of 104
Life — January 5, 1911 — page 4: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is **primarily an advertisement**, not satirical content. It promotes The White Company's new automobile model, the "40." The ad emphasizes the car's advanced engineering, claiming it represents the pinnacle of gasoline-engine automobile design. It highlights features like left-hand drive and notes the company spent considerable time and money developing the engine without borrowing from competitors' designs. The ad mentions two models: a two-passenger torpedo body at $3,000 and a seven-passenger version at $3,200—substantial prices for the era, suggesting this was a luxury vehicle. There is no political satire or cartoon humor here. This is straightforward early-automotive marketing in *Life* magazine, leveraging the publication's circulation to reach affluent readers interested in new technology.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THIS IS THE NEW 40 HIS is the latest gasoline-driven passenger car from the great White Factory—embodying the supreme effort of our splendid organization to produce a better motor car. Months were spent upon this design, and in addition to our own corps of engi- neers, the most eminent authorities on gasoline engine-building were consulted, both at home and abroad, to make certain that this new model should combine the most advanced thought. It has the left hand drive, and within the limits of human falli- bility, this car is produced as the best obtainable in engineering and the body-builder’s art of to-day. Being a totally different size, in devinaiag this engine, there were no patterns to be saved, no econo- mies to be effected and no advantages to be gained by following any precedent of our own or other factories. Therefore, having been so prodigal of time and money in the production of this car, it is with pride that we announce that it retains all the essential characteristics of former White Gasoline Construction—the cylin- ders are cast en bloc and the long stroke engine is continued. It is a striking tribute to our 30-horsepower gasoline car, that is only equalled by its remarkable performance from the standpoint of economy. The world’s engineers have been unable to suggest any improvement in our engine—have been unable to produce a better gasoline-driven automobile—it was found impossible to build a better car, and so we have made a larger one. The five-passenger, torpedo body, selling at $3000.00 and the seven-passenger at $3200.00. This car will be on display at all important shows, and at our branches in all important cities. that ste tread o Such a non-ski lows ai found ¢ other ti ping ar tually 2 Skid. On sm hollows create like a fi The sn the tig] The tre tread-ri comicbooks.com