Life — July 20, 1916 — page 17: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This 1916 Life magazine page presents caricatured heads of prominent world leaders arranged around a central figure labeled "Woodrow (Incognito)" wearing a top hat and false whiskers. The surrounding figures are identified as the Emperor of Austria, Czar (of Russia), The Kaiser, Van Tidditz, Paderewski, Czar of Russia, Uncle Sam, and Justice Hughes. The satire references Woodrow Wilson's quote about wanting to "rent a pair of whiskers" when troubled—suggesting he'd like to disguise himself among other leaders. The joke implies Wilson felt beset by international pressures (WWI was ongoing in 1916, though America hadn't yet entered). The cartoon humorously suggests that donning false whiskers would let him hide among Europe's bearded autocrats, satirizing both Wilson's predicament and the distinctive facial hair styles of contemporary world leaders.