Life, 1913-10-23 · page 6 of 40
Life — October 23, 1913 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **product advertisement**, not political satire. The Ohio Electric Car Company is marketing their "Ohio" brand electric automobile to women, emphasizing "exclusiveness" through two patented features: a "double drive" and "magnetic control." The image shows a well-dressed woman operating the vehicle, positioned to appeal to female consumers. The ad emphasizes mechanical sophistication and ease of operation—key selling points for early automobiles marketed to women, who were often considered the primary market for electric cars (seen as safer and easier to drive than gasoline vehicles). The text stresses that "thousands of satisfied owners endorse" the product, using social proof to build credibility. This reflects early-1900s automotive advertising targeting middle and upper-class women as buyers or decision-makers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Exclusiveness! The Ohio Electric introduced the double drive and the magnetic control—we hold patents on bothideas. And these two feat- ures, in connection with the magnetic brake, afford a driving comfort and an ease of opera- tion that no other car has ever approached. ‘Thousands of satisfied owners endorse that statement—the numerous imitators prove it. Antistically—in design, finish, upholstery and appointments—the Ohio Electric bears the stamp of aristocracy throughout. It is a car that will worthily enhance the appear- ance of the best-gowned women. The car itself is, after all, its own best argument. Any Ohio Electric dealer will be pleased to show it to you. Literature on request. The Ohio Electric Car Company, 1505 W. Bancroft St., Toledo Gibson Electrics, Ltd. Ontario Distributors Toronto, Canada OHIO THE ENVIED ELECTRIC Mechanically and Artistically —the Ohio Electric Instantly Suggests It comicbooks.com