Life, 1915-03-04 · page 35 of 48
Life — March 4, 1915 — page 35: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **full-page advertisement**, not political satire. It promotes Goodyear's tire line by claiming five exclusive safety features: no-rim-cut design, air-cured construction, secure treads, reinforced bases, and all-weather tread patterns. The ad's rhetorical strategy emphasizes **monopolistic superiority**—repeatedly asserting these defenses are "exclusive to these tires" and "no other tire in all the world offers such defenses." Notably, the text acknowledges competitors aim for quality but claims only Goodyear achieves this combination. The large tire image and smaller car photograph establish the product's reliability for early automotive users. The closing argument appeals to statistics: "Last year we sold about one tire for every car in use"—presenting market dominance as proof of superiority. For modern readers: this reflects early 20th-century marketing emphasizing technical innovation and manufacturing exclusivity, before modern regulatory standards or widespread consumer skepticism about monopoly claims.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
over old from bea from Luts 1 addressed rm of wat ress. a = a Fortified Tires This is what we mean by Goodyear FORTIFIED TIRES. And this is what they mean to you. We have fortified them in the best way known against each major tire trouble. And each way is exclusive to these tires. These Five Ways Against rim-cutting. Our No-Rim-Cut feature has proved itself for many years the most efficient method known. blowouts. We save the countless blowouts due to wrinkled fabric. We do this by our “On-Air” cure, used by no other maker. It means final-curing on air-filled tubes, under actual road conditions. It costs us $450,000 yearly. Against loose treads. A patent method used by us alone reduces this risk 60 per cent. Against insecurity. In each tire base we vulcanize six flat bands of 126 braided wires. These tires can't be forced off the rim. Against punctures and skidding: Our All-Weather tread offers maximum protection. It is tough and double-thick. Its grips are sharp and resistless. It is flat and smooth-running. It's immensely enduring. No Other Like Defense Remember, these are all exclusive Goodyear features. No other tire in all the world offers such defenses. Not in one way only, but in these five ways, FORTIFIED TIRES suously excel, And each contributes vastly to the sta once of a tire. Quality means more than rubber, more than fabric, more than skill in making. Several makers, we be- lieve, aim at the best in those things. None can claim monopoly. But Goodyear quality includes these de- 4 0 4%) ¢ 4 g' fenses. These we do monopolize. Yet, through enormous production, we offer them all to you without an extra price. Don’t Trust Luck In any make one often gets a lucky tire. It avoids mishap and misuse, and makes a rare record. But such luck isn’t oft repeated. The best tire serves best on the average. The tire which best combats troubles will, in the long run, suffer fewest of them. The general verdict, after 15 years, favors Goodyears in a most convincing way. They outsell any other. Last year we sold about one tire for every car in use. That's the result of building FORTIFIED TIRES. Soon or late you Any dealer will are bound ia supply you toadopt 4 when you » aim 4% (4 € GoonXSvEAR ‘ARBOROHO Fortified Tires The Only No-RimCut Tires The Only “On-Air” Cured Tires The Only All-Weather Treads