Life, 1916-02-03 · page 3 of 48
Life — February 3, 1916 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily an advertisement for Weed Anti-Skid Chains, a tire accessory for winter driving. The "peril" referenced is not political but automotive: the dangers of driving on icy, snowy roads without proper traction. The ad uses fear-based marketing, warning motorists that accidents lurk constantly—on slippery pavements, muddy roads, and icy surfaces. It contrasts careless drivers who ignore danger with prudent ones who install Weed Chains. The accompanying illustration shows a car navigating a treacherous winter landscape with cliff edges and bare trees, emphasizing how chains make "skidding utterly impossible." This reflects early 1920s concerns about automobile safety as cars became commonplace.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Hovering Peril Danger is ever waiting—lurking—watching for its victims— —every day, every hour—yes, every minute—he somewhere collects his ghastly toll. —he follows the gliding ship across the sea—the Speeding train upon the rails—the auto spinning along the quiet country road or darting through the crowded city streets. ‘Wherever man may be—there, too, ever is Dan- ger, or “The Hovering Peril”. Yet some men laugh at peril—they do not seek to avoid danger—and they have no fear because they have no prudence. Strange, is it not, that they imagine folly is bravery —that they do not distinguish between cowardice and caution—and when disaster comes as the punishment of their impradence, they, with blind superstition, believe that it was “fate” They do not see“The Hovering Peril” —yet it is no phantom—it is a reality! Men who have reasoning brains take precaution to avoid danger—not through any cowardly fear—but because they know that ‘The Hovering Peril” ever threatens their safety. ever threatens you! You who motor over muddy roads and wet, slip- pery pavements with Foolish Dependence Upon Bare Rubber Alone—when a i May mean your instant death! You who are now so full of life—of ambition and the joy of living—may then pay the supreme penalty of your carelessness. ‘Why not take precaution now? You know the folly—the danger—the peril there is in driving a car over slippery roads and pavements without Weed Chains. You know that Weed Anti-Skid Chains make skidding Utterly Impossible—then why don’t you get them today? Sold for ALL Tires by Dealers Everywhere American Chain Company Inc., Bridgeport, Conn. Sole Manufacturers af Weed Anti-Skid Chaina Manufactured for Canada by Dominion Chain Company, Limited, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada comicbooks.com