Life — August 27, 1914 — page 6: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This is primarily a **Locomobile automobile advertisement**, not political satire. The page shows "The Closed Car of the Year" — a luxury automobile with an enclosed cabin, a major innovation for the era. The illustration depicts a well-dressed couple (man in top hat and tails, woman in fashionable dress) admiring the vehicle. The text emphasizes artistic design details: custom lighting by Tiffany studios, imported French fabrics, tapestries, velvets, and specially dyed carpets. Interiors were designed by Mr. John J. Petit of New York. The advertisement positions the Locomobile as a luxury product, highlighting limited production (four cars daily) and specialized craftsmanship. This reflects early automotive marketing targeting wealthy consumers who valued bespoke design and fine materials—treating cars as luxury goods rather than practical transportation.