Life — April 30, 1914 — page 5: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Baker Electric Advertisement This is a straightforward automobile advertisement, not satire or political commentary. The page promotes the Baker Electric Double Drive Brougham, marketed as superior to limousines for wealthy families and social use. The ad's pitch emphasizes practical advantages: no chauffeur needed (women can drive it easily), lower operating costs than limousines, and five-passenger capacity with comfort. It appeals to early-20th-century car buyers by highlighting the electric vehicle's reliability and economy. The "Better Than A Limousine" headline positions the Baker as a status symbol requiring less expense and maintenance. This reflects the era when electric cars competed seriously with gasoline vehicles before gasoline ultimately dominated. The Baker Motor Vehicle Company was based in Cleveland, Ohio.