Life, 1912-06-13 · page 2 of 44
Life — June 13, 1912 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily an advertisement for the Detroit Electric automobile, not political satire. The ad depicts an early 1900s electric car and targets wealthy male consumers ("The Gentleman's Town Car"). The illustration shows a man driving through countryside, emphasizing the vehicle's reliability, speed, and ease of operation—five speeds controlled by one steering lever. The ad highlights practical advantages: no hills present difficulties, it's noiseless and colorless, and ideal for business or pleasure use. The accompanying pastoral landscape scene with leisurely figures suggests electric cars as symbols of modern gentlemanly leisure and status. This reflects the pre-Model T era when electric vehicles competed with gasoline automobiles as luxury transportation for affluent buyers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ECTRIC ‘The Cjentlem ans [own (ar Wi crowded on business or pleasure bent—in crowded city thuceuphlates or to and from country club, golf links or suburban home— the unfailing service of this trim, aristocratic roadster will win your admiration. It is the ideal automobile for men who demand an all- around Town Car. It is speedy, noiseless, clean, odorless. With it you can present a well-groomed appearance from mom- ing until night—independent of a chauffeur. It is always ready. Nothing to do but go. It has the quickest “get-a-way” in trafhe of any automobile made. A greater speed is possible with the Detroit Electric than the trafhe ordinance of any city allows. Its mileage is more than ample for an entire day's use. One to five speeds instantly attainable—all controlled by one lever on the steering wheel. Hills have no terrors for the Detroit Electric. Scores of Kansas City and Seattle people drive them daily. Further information gladly sent upon request. Anderson Electric Car Company Brooklyn 409 Clay Ave., Detroit, U. S.A Buffalo Kansas City Minneapolis Branches Cleveland New York—Brosdway at 60th Street. Chicago 2416 Michigan Ave. (Alo Branch at Fivanston) St. Louis Selling representatives in most leading cities Sid thor the D (a) you st ing at man t going (b) take t ink, | but le © mast you'd oat of incom thetori stedent they w one o¢ essay, comicbooks.com