Life — August 22, 1912 — page 3: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This page is **not a cartoon or satire**—it's a **straightforward automobile advertisement** for the 1913 Locomotile "Little Six" luxury car. The ad promotes the vehicle's technical specifications (60 horsepower, long-stroke motor, electric lighting) and luxury features (leather upholstery, enclosed body design). It emphasizes the car's quality through competitive claims ("no superior," "no equal") and offers to demonstrate superiority through actual performance tests. The Locomotile Company lists branches across major American cities and their Connecticut headquarters. This represents early automotive advertising in *Life* magazine, which carried both satirical content and paid advertisements. There is no political or social commentary here—simply period marketing for a high-end automobile.