Life — May 9, 1912 — page 4: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Explanation of "Do You Pittsburgh?" Page This page promotes an upcoming Pittsburgh edition of *Life* magazine. The cartoon depicts two exaggerated figures at a dining table surrounded by scattered money and champagne bottles—likely representing wealthy industrialists or businessmen, suggesting Pittsburgh's association with steel and industrial wealth. The satire plays on Pittsburgh's reputation: the text states "Pittsburgh, unlike Boston, is not a state of mind. It is not a theory, but a condition." This suggests Pittsburgh is defined by tangible wealth and industry rather than intellectual or cultural pretension. The joke appears to mock both Pittsburgh's nouveau-riche character and the magazine's commercial interest in covering the city's prosperous market. The announcement emphasizes the Pittsburgh issue will cost ten cents—standard price—indicating *Life*'s confidence in reader interest.