Life, 1913-09-25 · page 6 of 43
Life — September 25, 1913 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a cartoon or satire page**—it's a straightforward **automobile advertisement** for the Gray & Davis Starting-Lighting System, a manufacturer of car electrical components based in Boston, Massachusetts. The page features a photograph of the company's new factory building and describes their starter-lighting system's reliability in cars. It emphasizes practical benefits: easy cold-weather starting, simple operation via a foot pedal, and uncomplicated wiring. The phrase "This is another Gray & Davis year" suggests the company is claiming market success and widespread adoption among automobile manufacturers during the era shown (likely 1910s-1920s, based on the typeface and design style). There is no political or social satire present—this is period advertising.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
CATTLE GRAY & DAVIS STARTING - LIGHTING SYSTEM Demand for this system compelled us to build this new factory—with six times our former capacity iT) TLS a) TMI | The new Gray & Davis factory—devoted exclusively to the production of starting-lighting systems This is another Gray & Davis year, During the present season 32 six-cylinder motor, even in the —will prevent backfiring and automobile manufacturers are coldest weather. preignition. equipping their cars with the —spins the engine fast enough —will carry your car out of Gray & Davis Starting-Lighting to fire on magneto—or when danger if stalled on tracks or in 5 d cars range in battery is 70 per cent. below traffic. normal. —is easy to operate. One With the Gray & Davis Start- touch of the foot on a pedal ing-Lighting System there are the system in actual use on va- starts your car, The only atten- no complicated electrical con- rious makes of ¢ erated tion required is fresh water in trols—just a si itch, The under every conceivable condi- the battery and occasional lubri- — wiring e; ly armored tion of roads and weather. cation. and of advanced design. It is Briefly, two years of active —has ample reserve power to light in weight, economical of service has proved that it— meet emergencies or unusual fuel, and will outlive any car in —unfailingly starts the largest conditions. which it is installed. | e a a Look for the Gray & Davis System on your new car. We will be pleased to send catalog on request GRAY & DAVIS, Inc., BOSTON, MASS. Manufacturers of Automobile Lamps, Dynamos and Electric Starters Pee ST EREEEeeas Motnccesad gl G (an TTA WANUOVAON VAN SVAN UoAOURANORGLDAUNeorndvEOL ON IUNUNOUNUUIDOLNTASOFO ING KIONTANTENOANUUDINE TERDITERIAIELN) comicbooks.com