Life, 1914-09-10 · page 35 of 48
Life — September 10, 1914 — page 35: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily a **Goodyear tire advertisement** disguised as satirical social commentary. It uses an extended metaphor comparing tire quality to social class hierarchy. The satire mocks pretentious class distinctions by arguing that in "Tiredom," true aristocracy isn't about price or exclusivity—it's about functional superiority. Goodyear's "No-Rim-Cut" tires represent the ruling class, earning status through measurable features (fewer blowouts, anti-skid technology, durability) rather than mere expense. The central joke targets competing manufacturers selling tires at premium prices without superior quality. The advertisement insists that Goodyear's massive output actually *reduces* costs while maintaining excellence—suggesting that real value, not snobbery, should determine class status. The satirical tone positions Goodyear as democratically accessible superiority: quality shouldn't require paying extra for pretension.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Tiredom’s , Upper Class Dear Sir: It isn’t extra price which marks the upper class in Tiredom. Fanciful things don’t count here. Nor does exclusiveness. Tires are mere utilities. And Goodyear prices—due to mam- moth output—count just as much as other Goodyear savings. Real Aristocracy The real aristocrats in Tiredom are No- Rim-Cut tires. They outsell any other. By exclusive features and extra quality they won the ruling place. These are the royalty of Tiredom as class is meas- ured there. Yet many makes of tires are sell- ing for more than Goodyear prices. Badges of Class These things in Tiredom, are the sole criterions of class. No rim-cutting. We prevent that ina faultless way—a way which we con- trol. It saves a ruin which is wrecking one old-type tire in three, as per our last statistics, THE GOODYEAR Toronto, Canada Branches and Agencies in 103 Principal Cities Fewer blow-outs. Our “On-Air” cure—used by us alone—saves the major cause of blow-outs. It adds to our tire cost $450,000 per year. Fewer loose treads. A patent method—used by us alone—reduces this danger by 60 per cent. Perfect anti-skids. Our All- Weather treads are tough and double- thick. They are flat and smooth, so they run like plain treads. Their grips are deep, sharp and resistless. Lowest cost per mile. These fea- tures, plus low Goodyear prices, insure that to our users. And hundreds of thousands have proved it. No Pose of Price No-Rim-Cut tires don’t as extra- priced. They once sold for more than No-Rim-Cut Tires With All-Weather Treads or Smooth rival tires, because of these costly features. But mammoth output and new efficiency cut that cost immensely, and you get all the saving. Our average proht last year was 614 per cent. First we saved you rim-cuts, blow-outs and loose treads. Now we save you in the price per tire. As a result, men now are buying, on the average, 125,000 Goodyear automobile tires per month. True Extra Value We know but two ways to get extra value for an extra price. The price of some tires will buy you a half-inch wider Goodyear. That extra size, of course, means extra service. Or the price of three tires, extra-priced, will buy you four of Goodyears. And four tires will surely outlast three. But, size for size, you'll never find a better tire than Cad ear. In the four ways cited you'll find none as good. Remember that. High price marks class in some things, but it's a detriment in tires. It adds to dead expense. Any dealer will supply you Goodyear tires at Goodyear prices if you tell him that you want them. TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY, AKRON, OHIO London, England DEALERS EVERYWHERE Mexico City, Mexico Write Us on Anything You Want in Rubber