Life — November 6, 1913 — page 7: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Ohio Electric Car Advertisement This is primarily a **product advertisement**, not political satire. It promotes the Ohio Electric Car, manufactured by The Ohio Electric Car Company in Toledo. The ad emphasizes "effortless" operation through two features: a "Double Drive" system and "Magnetic Control." The photograph shows a woman operating the vehicle, highlighting ease of use—a key selling point for early electric automobiles, which required no hand-cranking like gasoline cars. The ad targets affluent buyers, particularly women, by stressing convenience. The "magnetic brake" and "chainless, direct shaft drive" are presented as exclusive Ohio features ensuring "perfect ease of operation." This reflects the early 1900s context when electric vehicles competed with gasoline cars, and manufacturers marketed them as sophisticated, user-friendly alternatives.