Life — February 6, 1913 — page 2: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis: Waverley Silent Electric Advertisement This page is **primarily an advertisement**, not a political cartoon. It promotes the Waverley Silent Electric automobile, priced at $2,900. The ad features a scene of elegantly dressed people (a man in a top hat and women in period dress) admiring or boarding the vehicle. The marketing emphasizes luxury features: low-hung body, easy riding, comfortable seating, and crucially, **silent operation** — a major selling point for early electric cars, which were quieter than gasoline engines. The text highlights the vehicle's sophisticated engineering, including exclusive elliptic springs and spacious interior. This targets wealthy, urban consumers seeking refined transportation. **Context for modern readers**: Electric vehicles were viable luxury options in the early 1900s before gasoline engines dominated. Quietness was a genuine advantage marketed to affluent buyers.