Life — April 29, 1915 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "When the World Was Young" This April 1915 *Life* magazine cover depicts a nostalgic, whimsical scene titled "When the World Was Young." The illustration shows children riding a bicycle together through an idyllic pastoral landscape with trees and flowers. The satire likely comments on innocence and simpler times, possibly offering escapist comfort during World War I, which had begun in Europe the previous year. The "world was young" framing suggests longing for an earlier, less complicated era before modern industrial warfare. By 1915, America remained officially neutral but increasingly concerned about the conflict. The image's dreamlike quality and focus on childhood innocence contrasts sharply with contemporary wartime realities, making it characteristic of *Life*'s satirical social commentary during this period.