Life, 1911-07-06 · page 6 of 44
Life — July 6, 1911 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a political cartoon or satire**—it's a straightforward **Firestone Tires advertisement** from Life magazine. The page celebrates Firestone's durability by documenting racing records. It features Ray Harroun's victory in the Indianapolis 500 (May 30, 1911) at 74.59 mph, where three Firestone tires remained undamaged. The surrounding chain of ovals documents other speed records—various track distances, the Daytona speed record (Bob Burman, April 23), and other racing achievements. The central message advertises Firestone as "regular stock tires" proven superior through racing performance, promoting the brand to consumers. The copy explicitly addresses a misconception: racing tires aren't special—they're standard Firestone products available to the public through dealers. This represents early automotive advertising leveraging racing success as proof of product quality.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Milwaukee) CTRAY HARROUN Sept.27. 10 ) Drivinc Marmon 70.92 Mi.Pr. Hr. Indianapolis 500-Mile Battle of Tires May 30,10n 74.59 Miles Per Hour en (An Endless Chain of World’s Records Proves the Supreme Durability of Fi r t ” iS cay } Three of the original Firestone regular stock tires that Cats J; carried ‘Ray Harroun’s Marmon car to victory at Indian- ; —“ apolis, May 30th, remained on the car untouched, in SS Wi, perfect condition at the finish. This greatest battle of tires the world has ever known DDIEY was won on the superior service given by Firestone tires Hearne } -500 miles of grinding wear and strain at the terrific eaenerele speed of 74.59 miles per hour, on an oval course. Spetoway } This forges the strongest and most important link in a O8 o3min-n/] SX chain of world’s recerds for tire durability, which proves that 2OMILES a . . \eovomsne | Firestone Tires Belong on Your Car It is the General Belief that All Tires Used in Racing are ‘ Special Made. pstanoisa START \ HIE We do not make special racing ti Lk Mateos CA a8 BEB2 Mi Pe Ho, Ask the Nordyke & Marmon Co and they sill tell you they bought these res in the regular way through our Chvcago Uranch, without Gut knowledge that they were intended for cacing You can get Firestone tires made just iske these trom any desir The Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., Akron, O. MAN- DAYTONA KILOMETER One Mie 25.40 secs. { 140.66 M PrHr 141.73 Miles Per Hour comicbookae eo