Life, 1914-11-05 · page 35 of 48
Life — November 5, 1914 — page 35: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a straightforward tire company advertisement, not political satire. The headline "He Who Runs May Read" is a play on the biblical phrase "he who runs may read" (Habakkuk 2:2), suggesting the tire's durability is visible through actual road wear. The ad's central claim targets competitor tire companies: Kelly-Springfield tires prove their mileage through real-world performance ("written on roads"), not through manufacturer allowances or refund disputes on guarantees. The implication is that competitors exaggerate claims or engage in disputes over warranty fulfillment. The image shows a cross-section of a tire with visible tread wear, visually demonstrating the product's durability. The extensive list of branch offices and dealers emphasizes Kelly-Springfield's nationwide presence and distribution network during what appears to be the early automotive era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“He Who Runs May Read” Kelly-Springfield mileage is written on roads—not paper. Kelly-Springfield hand- made, real-rubber tubes and tires give you that mileage in actual service—not in grudg- ing allowances and refunds on disputed guarantees. Kelly-Springfield Tire Company Broadway and 57th Street, New York Branch offices in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, St. Louis, Detroit, Cincinnati, San Francisco, Los Angeles, leveland, Seattle, Atlanta, Akron, O. The Hearn Tire & Rubber Co., Columbus, he L, J. Barth, Rochester, N. Y. The Southern Tire & Rubber Co., Houston and Beaumont, Atkinson Tire & Supply Co., Jacksonville, Fla. Texas Central Rubber & Supply Co., Indianapolis, Ind. Boss Rubber Co., Denver, Colorado Springs and Pucblo, C. D, Franke & Co., Charleston, S. C. Col. K. & S. Auto Tire Co., Limited, Toronto, Can. The Olmsted Co., Inc., Syracuse, N. Y. Todd Rubber Co., New Haven, Conn. South'n Hdwe. & Woodstock Co, Ltd, New Orleans, Barnard & Michael, Buffalo, N. Y. La Seifert & Baine, Newark, N. J. comicbooks.com