Life, 1914-02-12 · page 27 of 44
Life — February 12, 1914 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a cartoon or satire**—it's a straightforward **automobile advertisement** from Life magazine's early automotive era (likely 1910s). Gray & Davis, Inc. of Boston marketed an **electric starting and lighting system** for automobiles. The image shows their cylindrical starting motor, a major innovation that replaced hand-crank engine starting (dangerous and physically demanding). The ad emphasizes **simplicity and reliability** as selling points, claiming the system requires only occasional lubrication and battery replacement. It stresses the motor is "built into" cars rather than added as an afterthought, and highlights their network of 62 service stations nationwide. For modern readers: this represents the transition from manual to electric car starting—a significant quality-of-life improvement in early automobiles. The emphasis on service stations and maintenance reflects the era's relatively primitive automotive infrastructure.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
5 Here is the Gray & Davis Starting Motor NCEE its simplicity. Simplicity is the keynote of electrical efficiency. Simplicity minimizes trouble. The only attention this system requires is occasional lubrication of the motor and dynamo, and replenishment of the battery. On some cars you inspect, the appearance of the motor may slightly differ from the one sh bate, That is Because we do not build a y. note P enter The Gray & Davis System is designed for and built into each car which carries it so that it becomes an integral and harmonious part of the automobile. It is not “ tacked” on as an afterthought. In considering the purchase of a new car, remember that efficiency and freedom from starting-lighting troubles can come only from correct and simple design— and that simplicity has been a leading consideration in producing the ey & Davis System. Our Catalog will be sent on request. Gray & Davis, Inc., Boston, Mass. RESS a pedal--the Gray & Davis Starting- Motor spins even the larg- est G-cylinder engine fast enough to fire on magneto. The whole system fears no road or weather conditions. le will outlive any car. Five minutes attention a week is all that is needed to maintain it perfectly. Gray & Davis Service Stations—62 in all—are tcattered throughout _the country for the benefit of motorists using our equipment. comicbooks.com