Life, 1916-04-20 · page 47 of 52
Life — April 20, 1916 — page 47: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct elements: **Left side:** A satirical essay on "Personality" contrasting forgettable neutral people with memorable individuals. It uses the Rameses cigarette as an example—someone who smokes them becomes distinctive, unforgettable ("Nobody ever changes from Rameses"). The accompanying sketch ("Caesar's Commentaries") shows a classical figure, likely illustrating timeless personality. **Right side:** A full-page advertisement for Nujol, a mineral oil laxative made by Standard Oil Company. The ad criticizes casual use of laxatives and cathartics as "unwise," positioning Nujol as a safer "internal lubricant" for constipation. It offers a free educational booklet. **Modern context:** This reflects early 20th-century advertising's shift toward pseudo-scientific claims and direct-mail marketing. The Nujol ad represents Standard Oil's diversification beyond fuel into consumer health products. Both elements typify *Life* magazine's blend of satirical commentary with paid advertising.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
7 PR ESES Discrediting a Popular Book OW interesting a book must be the Bible, to have survived all the generations of its teachers! It is still read by many, in spite of Sunday schools and Bible lessons. To teach the Bible as is customary, one needs a colored map of Palestine, show- ing Abraham's ideal tour, a map wand about as long as Aaron's rod and a Bible diction- ary, the whole affair to be presided over by a person whose general ignorance of all that is really human in life is inexhaustible. When you have been guided through half a dozen chapters, you begin to hate Solomon in all his glory, with a pure and unadulterated hatred. You agree with Job in cursing the day he was born. And you almost get the The people we meet are mostly neutral,as if a kind Providence had fixed itsothat they tblicity mpany of Ne York Bd? & could fade into the background. And then along comes someone who flashes on your mind’s eye and shocks you into the realization that this is a living person—an in- dividual—no mere cog in the wheel of exist- ence. When such a man enters the office, be it ever so quietly, everybody knows he has come in. When he speaks, people listen, with- out eye-wandering, until he has finished. PERSONALITY. Is such a thing true of a cigarette? Smoke one Rameses, and see. They call it ‘‘The Aristocrat of Cigarettes.” You know the saying? “Nobody ever changes from Rameses.” idea into your head that Jeremiah had no sense of humor. ““CAESAR'S COMMENTARIES ” Here Are the Facts About Nujol REO.uS Pat UR booklet, ‘‘The Rational Treatment of Constipation,” sum- marizes briefly some of the facts which doctors have learned about constipation— what causes it, and why the use of Nujol as an internal lubricantis an effective method of treatment. Casual dosing with laxatives and cathartics is an extremely unwise way of dealing with a disorder which is so full of potential dangers as is consti- pation. If you are interested in learning the facts about a far saner and safer treatment, you should have this booklet. Clip and mail the attached coupon. Most druggists carry Nujol, which is sold only in pint bottles packed in cartons bearing the Nujol trademark. If your drug- gist does not carry Nujol, we will send you a pint bottle prepaid to any point in the United States on receipt of 75 cents—money order or stamps. 7 3f Standard 7 Oil Company STANDARD OIL COMPANY 7 barons Ne hey (New Jersey) Dept. 15 BAYONNE fpeoreved by, Dr, Harvey W Wiley. of Good Housekeepin, Fons of Foods, Sanitation and fealts. NEW JERSEY comicbooks.com 7 _Piease send yout booklet, “The Rational Treatment of Coastipa-