Life, 1912-05-16 · page 39 of 52
Life — May 16, 1912 — page 39: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page combines poetry, automotive advertising, and editorial humor from an early 1900s Life magazine. **The Satirical Content:** The left column presents "Impressions of Pittsburgh" — a poem that satirizes travel writing. The joke: the narrator admits he's never actually visited Pittsburgh but is writing about it anyway, based solely on a lady friend's description. The friend describes Pittsburgh in idealized terms (bright atmosphere, stately Colonial homes, upright moral citizens). **The Punchline:** At the bottom, the author (Carolyn Wells) reveals she's made a massive error: her notes actually refer to **Pittsfield, Massachusetts**, not Pittsburgh at all. Her handwriting is so poor and notes so jumbled that she confused the two towns entirely. This mocks careless travel writers who produce content without proper research or attention to detail. **Supporting Content:** The page also includes advertisements (Carstairs Rye whiskey, Regal automobiles) typical of Life's commercial content, plus a patent notice. The satirical cartoon/illustration at bottom right ("Where Ignorance is Bliss") visually reinforces the theme of mistaken identity.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Impressions of Pittsburgh I have a mind that simply dotes On writing Travel News and Notes. | toes fp ponder and set daa NDERSLUNG construction My real impressions of a town. yi f 5 But, though I've traveled all about, Pittsburgh just chanced to be left out means - satety. Of my itinerary. So T cannot personally know Here is the Regal Touring Car Of its attractions. But, you see, A lady friend described to me that first brought all the acknowledged advan- The charms of Pittsburgh, and T feel tages of the costly Underslung construction within It is a spot that’s just ideal. < a reasonable purchase price. eee e ee The lady said the atmosphere : The greatest advantage undoubtedly is its “safety.” Js always very bright and clear, The dangers of “skidding” and “turning turtle” in the And fleecy clouds of h A : Sie catret purest blue. tight place that comes to every motorist sooner or later The towcring elms in arches meet are reduced to a scientific minimum. Above each broad and well-kept strect. . “a Pa ‘And homes of old Colonial style Then, there are the other important advantages of ‘‘economy, Rise from green lawns in stately pile. most “easy riding,” - “accessibility,” “beauty of line’ and “unity of The people, as she did depict, design’’—all of which are most emphasized in this Regal Underslung. Are narrow, cold and rather strict It has been truly said by many owners—‘‘to ride in a Regal About their morals and their laws; Underslung is a new interpretation cf what Comfort means.” Their standards tolerat flaws. : *, 7: ir standards tolerate no mows. This powerful, roomy, beautiful Regal Underslung presents un- fee ¢ deniable motor car value. Regal Dealers are everywhere. A bit old-fashioned in their ways, They stick to styles of earlier days. Some Specifications: Motor, 35 H. P., 4 eytinders (in pairs) mission, Hyatt nickel steet roller bearings, 4M z 4M; wheel base 118 inches; Morgan Dual ignition with magneto—standard Wright tires, 34 z 4; demountable rims ‘equipment—two gas searchlighte, tice (one eztra furnished free of charge); three aide oil lamps—tait lamp, generator, apeeds and reverse, sclectize sliding trans- tools, jack, pump, ete. The Regal “35” Underslung Touring Car Established 1788 Carstairs Rye The Whiskey with a Pedigree ‘You can depend upon it Write for Catalogue “A” just as you would upon the fF word of a gentleman or :: Automobile Manufacturers :: upon the honor of along tried [i The Regal Motor Car Co., DETROIT, MICHIGAN A and oft trusted associate. ia A scientific blend of the B) richest ryes, aged in wood. Serially numbered labels show our bottling. If your dealer should not happen to have it we'll send ed Tas ttrangh him at The curfew rings for evensong.— But—wait a minute! — Something's Stewart Distilling Co. wrong! Phila, New York Balto. I} Why, goodness me! How could I make Such a ridiculous mistake? You see my notes are so obscure, Crossed, interlined, the writing poor— It's really tricky to make out What town the jottings are about. It isn't Pittsburgh, Oh! Alas! ATENTS ‘“iS35022hvep My notes refer to Pittsfield, Mass. {sketch for free search of Patent Office Records. Howto Carolyn Wells. “ WHERE IGNORANCE 1S BLISS” Ia a Patent and What tolnvent wishlist of ——] ir fentions sent free. Patents VANS & CO., Washingt comicbooks.com