Life, 1913-09-18 · page 39 of 44
Life — September 18, 1913 — page 39: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a satirical science fiction story and period advertisements. The main narrative depicts a brilliant scientist who has invented a "golden machine" capable of manufacturing perfect human beings. When confronted about the ethics and practicality of creating an ideal woman or child, the scientist realizes the folly of his ambition—perfection is subjective and dependent on individual perspective. He ultimately destroys his creation, concluding that attempting to manufacture perfect humans would cause more problems than it solves. The satire targets early 20th-century scientific hubris and utopian thinking, mocking the idea that technology could engineer ideal people. The supporting advertisements for Timken bearings and Volley perfume reflect period consumer culture. The "Old Adages Disproved" section humorously debunks the saying "if at first you don't succeed, try again," suggesting that persistence after failure wastes effort—a cynical commentary typical of Life's satirical approach.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
that you describe, theré would be no living with her.” “No one asked you to live with her.” “But you want a perfect: woman.” “T don't want your idea of one. 1 want mine. “But I made this discovery, didn’t 1?” There was another hushed silence. Finally the elder man spoke. “Tt is evident,” he said, “that it would scarcely do for you to attempt to make a woman. What is perfect to you would not be to me, and prob- ly would not be to anyone else; be sides, you would have her on your hands. Would it pay?” “To be candid with you, I don't think it would.” “How about a boy? “Well, hardly. You see, 1 would’ Le able to guarantee how he would turn out.” “And you think—” In reply, the greatest scientist of the ¢ went over to the golden machine he had made, and placed it in’ the glowing retort, where it was soon melted. “T think,” he said, “that you came just in time to save me from more O f H d S ° trouble than T ever had. Yes, sir,” he | ut or ar ervice vdded proudly, “the secret of manu- . facturing perfect human beings. shall “Y7TNILANG the gong! Clear the streets! Rush over ERNIE He et te Als f car tracks! Swing round corners! Take the Beoanrar: id . shortest road no matter how rough! Put on full epantey prides herself on being wrong by rules, while common-sense is | speed—get to the fire! contented to be right without them CC. Cotton. Human life is at stake—and_ property—perhaps = : the whole town. — Weigbt oa the fre truck is heary—pumps, bors, Iniders and men— Head on the Timken-Detroit Proat Axle meets every sbock and jot. Og and speed is of utmost importance, Not muse delay. The bre ‘The gears of the Timken Jack-Shalt transmit the power of the buce vartor JL cREATION f ruck must be dependable. And the foundations of depemlability are the engine full force to the chains that drive the teat wheels y ke the tremesious thrust between jack-shatt A LATE: DEBUTANTE --- SOCIETY'S LEADER NOW! ‘ : 4 plunging vebicie ved e > bad - pe ‘bey supply compensation for that will carry tremendous Hos PARFUM, severe side-pressure when the Leary engine swings suddenly round a cornet. ‘The Timken Taperat Roller Bearing is the one bearing that meets and withstands beth these forces, ‘That is why practically all. successtal builders of Ste apparatus bave adopted Timkea Beal You.cen tear toore:of whet coed bear Timken stands for in good me , a The ponderous weight rests, too, on those bridges of heat-treated —Thinken Primers, H.$ "On the Care an CREATED A ACHIEVED ateel, the axles, 11-6 "On the Anatomy of Automobile Axle: WONCERFUL INSTANTANECES. THE TIMKEN ROLLER BEARING COMPANY SENSATION ; Fame CANTON, OHIO THE TIMKEN-DETROIT AXLE COMPANY DETROIT, MICHIGAN Old Adages Disproved If At First You Don't Succeed, Try. Try Again lage has been so thoroughly disproved by modern experience that it seems hardly ry to expose its fallacies. There may, however, be a few misguided souls who still believe in it, and we therefore take pleasure in opening their eyes. | One of the principal reasons why, when you have not succeeded at first, you should SAR FUMEURI y is because of the valuable time you are co . By keeping on trying as - you might (although the chances are against you) succeed in the end, but it would be after SUPREME : you are thoroughly broken down, and success in any form would be wasted upon you Do not, therefore, keep on trying after you have made your first failure, but have someone else to do the heavy work while you are building up your health. Also learn how to advertise. Upon these two great principles hang all the law and the profits. comicbooks.com