Life, 1912-09-26 · page 2 of 48
Life — September 26, 1912 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This appears to be a **Wrigley's Spearmint Gum advertisement** rather than political satire. The ad uses a humorous domestic scenario to market bulk gum purchases. The scene depicts a father figure confronting a young boy carrying a box of gum. The child claims the father promised him a "whole box of Wrigley's Spearmint." The advertisement then pivots to explaining the product's benefits: improved breath, digestion, and tooth health. The joke relies on the father's apparent confusion or reluctant acceptance of his promise. The ad's key sales pitch emphasizes buying gum by the box for better economy and freshness compared to individual sticks—a practical consumer advantage during the early 20th century. This is straightforward commercial messaging using domestic humor, not social or political commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“Why are you bringing that?Z | “Cause you promised me ~ a whole box of WRIGLEYS SPEARITIN 7 It’s one of the few things your children like that’s good for them. Every stick 6 of this mint juice dainty benefits teeth 4 and aids digestion. But if you buy it by the box, it benefits more, costs less and stays fresh until used. This refreshing, nerve-soothing, time- passing tidbit purifies breath after smok- ing. It’s all enjoyment and all benefit, all day long, for all ages. BUY IT BY THE BOX of any dealer. It’s beneficial economy. Look for the spear. The flavor lasts. comicbooks.com