Life, 1916-05-18 · page 43 of 48
Life — May 18, 1916 — page 43: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains mixed content: a humorous article about lobsters, product advertisements, and a major advertisement for Gillette Safety Razors. The **Napoleon anecdote** is the page's centerpiece—a fictional claim that the Emperor was "deathly afraid of a Razor" because he had an excessively sensitive skin and could never find a razor that pleased him. The story serves as the hook for the Gillette advertisement, which claims that modern world leaders (including Yuan Shih k'ai of China and New Zealand's Premier) now use Gillette razors, and that soldiers across WWI fronts rely on them. The humor lies in the absurd contrast: if even Napoleon—history's greatest military figure—was undone by shaving difficulties, surely any modern man needs Gillette's superior product. It's satirical advertising wrapped in false historical "fact," typical of Life's era. The lobster article is whimsical satire describing lobsters in mock-technical language, comparing them to automobiles.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Lobsters OBSTERS have long been the subject of poem and prose. They have also appeared in works on zoology, and palaces have been erected to celebrate their virtues. Among the celebrated lobster palaces of the world may be mentioned Rector’s, in New York, the one occupied by the British censors in London, and The Hague. A lobster:is shaped somewhat like a deep-sea aeroplane, except that it propels itself by its tail and its carburetor is located in its tiara. It has three speeds backward, and is very easy on tires. All lobsters have limousine bodies, with glass fronts, and carry detachable tire-clamps. Lobsters are the soul of modesty and turn red to the roots of their feelers when exposed to company. They can be seen upon the coast of Maine, when they are captured by the fishermen, when those gentlemen are not otherwise engaged in fighting successfully the laws in favor of prohibition. They often get into hot water. Napoleon wz: deathly ee afraid ofa Razor BEFORE you start on any | trip look in your tool box. See that you have a jack which will really lift your car when you need it. When you are in trouble you need an efficient and dependable jack more than anything else in your equipment. Be prepared for your emergencies with one of the two AUTOMOBILE JACKS One or the other of these jacks will best meet the requirements of every car owner. If there isn’t one in your tool box now—stop at your local dealer's and ask him to show you either the Uni- versal or the Stand- ard Type. A. mokeshift jock—a jock withost a name—may do for others, but don't you start off without @ real one Your cardeserves aBarrett The Duff Manufacturing Co. Ustabllabed 1983 Original Research The two British sailors, says an ex- ch had been given tickets for the how and were gazing with wonder- ing eyes at a Skye terrier, which had so much hair that it looked more hke a woolen rug than a “Which end is ‘is ‘ead, Bill?” asked on “Blowed if I know,” was the reply. “But Tl stick a pin in tim, and you look which end barks."—Youth's Companion, HE Emperor Napoleon never permitted anyone near him with an open razor. He did his own shaving and, owing to a sensitive skin, never could get a razor that pleased him. The one that an- KNOWN THE WORLD.OVER noyed him least was picked up during the Peninsular Cam- paign and had a blade of Saracen steel. Today nearly all the World’s Rulers use a Gillette Safety Razor. The latest convert is Yuan Shih k’ai, the great man of China. Another is the Premier of New Zealand. In the present war the Gillette is used by the leading Generals and by some 3,000,000 men in the trenches and on all fronts. The Gillette shave is quick and cool, safe and sanitary. It is velvet-smooth, no matter how wiry the beard or tender the skin. Adjust the handle for a light or a close shave. A keen, fresh blade is always ready. No stropping—no honing. Prices $5 to $50. Blades 50c. and $1 the packet. Dealers everywhere. GILLETTE SAFETY RAZOR CO, BOSTON comicbooks.com