Life, 1912-01-04 · page 9 of 108
Life — January 4, 1912 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily a **Knight-Type Motor automobile advertisement**, not a satirical cartoon. The ad promotes the Stearns-Knight motor car by claiming superiority based on extensive testing. The text argues that prestigious European owners (listed in a decorative box—various royalty and nobility) and American experts have validated the Knight motor's quality. Key claims include: the Knight principle "forced us to acknowledge" superiority; factory drivers outperformed competitors; and American automobile clubs initially "laughed at designers" before the car "went triumphantly through tests." The ad invites readers to request a booklet of testimonial letters. There is a coupon at bottom-right for ordering this promotional material. This represents early 1900s automotive marketing emphasizing endorsements from wealthy, prestigious figures as proof of product excellence.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
‘A Few European Owners of Knight-Motored Cars rea sane oF tncLanD ‘me curcaon OF CxAMANY Tht Cran OF ausbin Tre KING OF SrA Tat kine OF acc {het Chow Pincts3 OF SWEDE Tog CROWN prince OF seava Panct oauaniny OF RUSSIA Tht CAANO OUCHESS VLADOGR OF AUASLA Pact AnTHUR OF COMMAVOT The OUEKESS OF exDFLRD ‘Te OUKE OF romTuano THE RictT WORORARLE CARE ROBERTS Tot DURE OF aranTA Men ae over who demand thebestnow demand the Knight Type these men think of the experi- ences of such world-famous concerns as Daimler, Panhard, Mercedesand Minerva. They know that nothing in motoring history has had the approbation accorded the Knight motor in every country where it is known, yy engineers, manu- facturers, designers and owners. Our Own Experiences It must be remembered that for the two years when we were experimenting with this motor, we were in the position of duyers —not sellers. The old Stearns power plant had for years been admitted among the best in the world. We had little to gain and much to lose by the adoption of something new, All the ex- pert knowledge of our organi- zation was pitted against the Knight motor. We gave the engine unfair tests—we tried it as we could not try a poppet valve engine. The whole fu- ture of our business was at stake on the issue. The Knight proved itself: Our own experiments but con- firmed the results secured by the greatest designers in Europe. The Knight came through 12963 EUCLIDAVE Cleveland, 0; Clee | every test--every trial—tri- umphant. Try as we would, the Knight principle forced us to the acknowledgement of its superiority. In ourown factory with every man’s hand against it—it won its own battle. On the road, with factory, drivers under instructions to ‘drive it to death’’—it answered every demand, fulfilled every claim made for it. Then, satisfied that we had the world’s dest, we abandoned the old type, and announced the new model. The Verdict We told the public months ago of the Stearns-Knight, and what it had in store for those fortunate enough to possess it. And _ now the great American public—the final court—is tell- ing us of the Stearns-Knight. Telling us of the wonderful success of this car in the hands of users—telling us of the acid test of service. And these volun- tary tributes are from all parts of America. From Coast to Coast, and the Great Lakes to the Gulf. They are from ex- perienced motorists—men whose judgment is final. We have reproduced these Dealers in allo other yr principal towns and cities (Equipment continued) Silk Mohair Top and Cover, Continental Q. D. Demountable Rims, (two extra rims) Muffler Cut-out, Footrest, Robe Rail, Trunk Rack, Bulb Horn, etc. letters in booklet form—letters telling what the Stearns-Knight means to men who drive it. How it has opened a new era to them. Let Us Send the Facts We will send this booklet of letters to you if you wish. And, we will send, too, ‘“The Story of the Stearns-Knight Motor”’ —a booklet telling of the trial of two Knight motors by the Royal Automobile Club of Great Britain. How three years ago, laughed at by designers, and _belittled by competitors, the invention of an American went triumphantly through tests that experts deemed im- possible, and leaped to the proud position of master of the automobile world! We have told how, after weeks of exhaus- tive tests these wonderful en- gines developed more power at the finish thanat the beginning, and showed no sign of wear! All this information should be in the hands of every well- posted man. The Knightmotor is fast adding new pages to auto- mobile history—mail us the coupon, and we will place the facts in your possession. THE F. B. STEARNS CO. Cleveland Ohio Gentlemen - Please send me your booklets telling the Story of the Stearns-Knight Name Address comichooks.