Life, 1914-08-13 · page 31 of 40
Life — August 13, 1914 — page 31: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **tire advertisement**, not a political cartoon. It's a full-page ad for "Nobby Tread" tires by United States Tire Company, published in *Life* magazine (page 275). The two tire images at the top show the distinctive tread pattern of Nobby Tread tires—the "nobby" (bumpy) surface design meant to prevent skidding. The ad argues that buyers should focus on **total cost of ownership**, not just initial price. The key claims: Nobby Tread tires deliver more mileage, reduce punctures by 90%, provide anti-skid protection, and are backed by a 5,000-mile warranty. The "Stand Up" and "Deliver" headline uses double meaning—tires must physically perform ("stand up") and provide value ("deliver" mileage). This appears to be standard advertising copy from the early automotive era, emphasizing reliability and practical economy over cheap initial cost.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“Stand Up” and “Deliver” An automobile tire must “stand up” and “deliver” mileage enough to justify its first cost, or its first cost at any price is a joke. “First cost” saving is an “ostrich way” of figuring tire economy—the only true way is to figure on the ultimate cost of your tire service. Automobile owners learn this in time—the quicker they learn it, the quicker will they learn to buy Business Basis Tires That a tremendous majority of automobile owners have learned how to buy automobile tires is proved by the fact that today “ Nobby Tread” Tires are the largest selling anti-skid tires in the ‘world. “Nobby Tread” Tires do two things—they give more mileage and:they prevent skidding. And remember this—investigations prove that with “Nobby Tread” Tires punctures are 90% less than with the average tire. Based upon their remarkable mileage records “Nobby Tread” Tires are now sold under our regular warranty—perfect workmanship and material BUT any adjurtinent any adjustments are on a basis of 9,000 Miles he principal ns Bulidings, pty to Lave, Thousands upon thousands of veteran motorists now use be Re Tread” Tires on their front and rear wheels through all seasons, because they give real anti-skid protection and the lowest cost per mile. United States Tire Company NOTE THIS—Dealers who sell UNITED STATES TIRES cell the best of everything. comicbooks.com