Life — January 26, 1911 — page 31: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is not a cartoon or satire page. It's a **straightforward automobile advertisement** from *Life* magazine for the Stoddard-30 automobile, manufactured by the Dayton Motor Car Co. in Dayton, Ohio. The page features two side-view illustrations of the vehicle—a touring car model shown from different angles—along with detailed specifications about its engine (4½x5½ cylinders), wheelbase (114 inches), equipment, and pricing ($1,625-$1,700 depending on configuration). There is no political satire, caricature, or social commentary present. This is period advertising copy typical of early 20th-century automotive trade publications, emphasizing the vehicle's engineering features and reliability to potential buyers.