Life, 1912-12-12 · page 2 of 48
Life — December 12, 1912 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# The Silent Waverley Electric This page is primarily **automobile advertising**, not political satire. It promotes the Waverley, an electric car manufactured by the Waverley Company of Indianapolis. The ad emphasizes luxury features: a spacious parlor-car interior with comfortable seating, large windows providing "full view ahead," and storage for golf clubs and luggage. The decorative illustrations of fashionably-dressed women in period clothing (likely early 1900s) appeal to affluent buyers, suggesting the vehicle's sophisticated appeal. The "silent" aspect of the electric engine—a major selling point for early electric vehicles—is highlighted as providing smooth, quiet operation without the noise and vibration of gasoline engines. This represents early automotive marketing targeting wealthy consumers who valued comfort and elegance over speed.