Life, 1916-06-15 · page 35 of 48
Life — June 15, 1916 — page 35: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not political satire but commercial advertising** disguised as a testimonial narrative. The page presents Miss Barclay, an office worker, describing how a Multigraph machine (an early photocopying/duplicating device) enabled her to produce 5,000 printed price lists in a single workday—efficiently and cost-effectively. The "job I'm proud of" frame celebrates workplace productivity and labor-saving technology. For modern readers, the significance lies in the historical context: this represents early-20th-century office automation advertising, targeting small businesses. The narrative emphasizes speed, accuracy, and self-sufficiency—a business didn't need an external print shop if it owned a Multigraph. The coupon below invites inquiries, making this a sales pitch wrapped in an inspirational employee success story. The tone reflects period optimism about technology improving both efficiency and worker satisfaction.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“Here's a Job I’m Proud Of” ‘*« We're all out of these price lists,’ said the advertising manager, ‘and must haye some before the mail goes out tonight. That leaves it up to you and the Multigraph, Miss Barclay.” “So I got busy right away. It was a long page of descriptions and figures, with a cut here and there for good measure. But I knew we had everything needed for the job—several styles of type faces, some curved electrotypes, and real printer’s ink—and the work itself Is easy. _ .“ First I set up the form. That took longest, because had to be absolutely accurate. Then I took a proof, made my corrections, filled the automatic paper feed, turned on the electric motor, and the Multigraph did the rest. “ At half-past three I had 5,000 copies all finished— starting at ten o'clock, with an hour for lunch. And see the result—a neat, accurate, well printed list that I’m proud of. Even the manager said it couldn’t be better. And we saved a whole lot of money by doing it ourselves. Can you blame me for boosting the Multigraph?” The Multigraph Means High Quality at Low Cost Even if your business isn’t big enough for an adver- tising manager, it’s big enough for a Multigraph Form typewriting and office printing are not confined to the firm of many departments. There is a Multigraph equipment and a Multigraph price to meet your requirements, however large or small. n any case, the quality of work is high, and the saving great, in both time and money. Multigraph equipments range in price from $200 up. The terms of payment are easy—20% down and monthly installments. Mail the coupon and learn how the Multi- graph can be profitably applied to your business. THE WAY TO OPPOR NITY 1 MULTIGRAI 1810 E, 40th Street, Cleveland 11 ahall be glad to have further Information regarding the Multigraph and its { possible application to my business, ATTACH THIS TO YOUR LETTERHEAD AND MAIL comicbooks.com