Life, 1915-09-16 · page 5 of 48
Life — September 16, 1915 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a political cartoon or satire**—it's a straightforward **product advertisement** for Goodyear Fortified Tires, published in *Life* magazine (page 497). The ad makes competitive claims about Goodyear's market dominance: they've captured 500,000 cars and gained more users than any competitor. It emphasizes unique features like their "No-Rim-Cut" design and "On-Air" curing process, plus double-thick treads for durability. The large image shows a tire mounted on a rural fence, demonstrating the product's robustness. The copy stresses that Goodyear tires are "not similar to others" and invites readers to make "road comparisons" to prove superiority. This represents early automotive advertising's focus on technical specifications and reliability claims to build consumer trust in a competitive market.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
They Are Breaking Down the Bars Goodyear Tires Now Carry Half a Million Cars Our sales now indicate that Goodyear tires have won not less than 500,000 users. And they've gained more users this year than any year before. Which shows how men are wak- ing to the differences in tires. Why We State the Facts Countless motorists think that tires are very much alike. In buying new cars they accept whatever tires they find. In re- newing they have no decided choice. That's why we publish here again and again the facts about Goodyear tires. Not Similar Goodyear Fortified Tires are not similar to others. They have our No-Rim-Cut feature which we control, They are “On-Air” cured at vast extra cost, to save needless blowouts. Rubber rivets are created in them to combat loose treads. Our exclusive features, plus other rare features, will add to our tire cost this year $1,635,000. What we added this year alone in extra rubber, size and strength will cost us $500,000. Our All-Weather tread is not a regular tread made rough. It's a double-thick tread made of very tough rubber. That double- thickness, on this year’s output of All-Weathers, will cost us $1,000,000. Such tires should not be classed with tires not thus protected. Easy to Prove Their extra service is an easy thing to prove. Make road com- arisons, occasional tire may ¢ affected by some mishap or misuse. But Fortified Tires are bound to average best. Other- wise these features would be folly. Any Goodyear dealer will supply you. Every neighborhood has a year Service Station with your size in stock, and which renders full Goodyear service. \ THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY, AKRON, O. a ie oe 3S Ses 8S 2SeSe< 2SS9S OSS comicbooks.com