Life, 1915-03-11 · page 47 of 48
Life — March 11, 1915 — page 47: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily a **car advertisement**, not a political cartoon. It advertises the Overland Coupe automobile for $1,600 (FOB Toledo) from the Willys-Overland Company. The advertisement's humor and sales appeal lies in its **gendered marketing**: the tagline "Any woman can drive it" emphasizes the car's ease of operation through electric buttons on the steering column for starting, stopping, and lighting—positioning this as a practical vehicle for female drivers during an era when cars required significant mechanical knowledge. The large photograph shows a woman at the steering wheel, reinforcing this marketing angle. The copy emphasizes the car as "Simple—Beautiful—Practical," appealing to affluent consumers seeking both aesthetic sophistication and functionality. This reflects early 1900s automotive marketing that targeted women as an emerging consumer demographic, framing technological simplification as appealing to female drivers specifically.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
line, nter= h in- ables, yoth- are | and done on do is vould FOB TOLEDO Simple—Beautiful—Practical The Overland Coupe is a work of art. Every detail, inside and out, displays the talent and taste of an artist. It has that distinction which makes it smart. It is neither freakish nor common- place. Any woman can drive it. The electric buttons are located on the Steering column. By just pressing these buttons the car is started, stopped and lighted. Handsome catalogue on request. The interior is completely upholstered with that fashionable mouse grey Bedford cord cloth, which has both strength and softness. It comfortably seats four. For all year round use the Overland Coupe is the most practical car of the season. Also it is the most attractive and the most beautiful. Delivery can be made immediately. Please address Dept. 16. The Willys-Overland Company, Toledo, Ohio PETER J. CAREY, PRINTER