Life — July 20, 1911 — page 3: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Franklin Automobile Advertisement This page is **not a cartoon or satire** — it's a straightforward advertisement for the Franklin Automobile Company of Syracuse, New York, published in *Life* magazine. The ad promotes the Franklin automobile's tire durability as a key selling point. According to the text, Franklin tires were exceptionally reliable: owners reported 8,000-10,000 miles of service per set, averaging 3,000 miles without punctures — remarkable claims for the early automotive era when tire trouble was common. The ad highlights the vehicle's engineering advantages: large tires, light weight, and resilience that supposedly eliminated blow-outs. It notes four chassis sizes and twelve body styles, offering two- through seven-passenger models. This is period marketing emphasizing mechanical reliability to potential buyers skeptical of automobile durability.