Life, 1913-05-08 · page 48 of 48
Life — May 8, 1913 — page 48: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is an **automobile advertisement, not a cartoon or satirical piece**. It promotes the 1913 Oldsmobile Six to readers of *Life* magazine (May 8, 1913). The notable aspect for modern readers is the **marketing pitch targeting women**. The ad explicitly highlights that the electric self-starter and power-driven air pump eliminate the need for "a man's strength" to operate the car, making it accessible to "the gentler sex." This reflects early automotive history when hand-cranking engines were genuinely difficult and dangerous—a genuine technological advancement that broadened potential car buyers. The pricing ($3,200–$3,350) and detailed specifications emphasize this was a luxury vehicle. The "15-year" claim establishes Oldsmobile's reputation as an established, reliable manufacturer. The ad is straightforward product promotion with period-appropriate gender marketing—not satirical commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
May 8 1913 OLDSMOBILE PERSONALITY—a quality that is individual and dis- tinctive is expressed in every line of the new S The Oldsmobile is designed throughout with the ultimate object of inspiring confidence. Comfort, economy, simplicity, power and speed are combined in the perfect performance of this car. The Electric Self-Starter and power driven air pump remove the last ob- stacle to easy and pleasurable driving by the gentler sex. Starting the motor and inflating the tires no longer requires a man’s strength —these operations are performed simply by pressing a button or moving a lever. Fifteen years of s ful motor car manufacturing is the lineage of the Oldsmobile Six—a prestige maintained through each season and personified in this, the newest model. Seven-Passenger, $3350 Five-Passenger, $3200 ur-Passenger, $3200 COMPLETE EQUIPMENT Six cylinder motor of maximum flexibility | shield. Speedometer and clock, Klaxon warn- and power. Delco electric starting, lighting ing signal. Demountable rims, arim, coat and ignition system. Combination splash and rack, mats, tools, etc. Specially designed forced feed oilin: power driven air-pump, with accurate pressure matic. Wheel base 135 i i gauge, regularly attached to motor and inches. Truffault-Hartford shock abs ers driven by engine gears, which inflates any tire both front and rear. 12 inches to required pressure in from three to four deep. Cape top and boot, ra sion wind- minutes. We have direct factory representation in all the principal cities, a coast to coast, who will be pleased to show you this model—or write OLDS MOTOR WORKS LANSING, MICHIGAN 5 comicbooks.com