Life — August 17, 1911 — page 2: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This page is **not a cartoon or satire—it's a straight advertisement** for the Hupp-Yeats Electric Coach, a early electric automobile. The illustration shows an elegantly dressed woman next to the vehicle in a pastoral setting, emphasizing the car's refined design and low-slung body. The accompanying text promotes the Hupp-Yeats as a reliable innovation: over 300 cars have been sold in six months, appealing to buyers concerned about safety (the electric design prevents skidding and overturning risks associated with gas-powered vehicles). The ad lists multiple body styles ("Paris-ian," "Brougham," "Torpedo") and includes branch office locations across America. This reflects the early 1900s electric-car market before gasoline engines dominated.