Life, 1916-08-03 · page 3 of 38
Life — August 3, 1916 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This appears to be **advertising copy rather than satire or political commentary**. The page promotes Dodge Brothers automobiles through an article titled "A Circle That Never Stops Growing." The text uses metaphorical language about reputation and word-of-mouth marketing—claiming that satisfied Dodge owners inspire neighbors to purchase the same car, creating an expanding "circle of good will." This describes organic consumer enthusiasm rather than mocking anything. The three small images show cars and presumably owners, illustrating the advertisement's narrative about satisfied customers. **For modern readers**: This is early 20th-century automobile marketing emphasizing quality, reliability, and social proof—the idea that widespread ownership validates the product. It's straightforward promotional material, not satire or commentary on current events.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A Circle That Never Stops Growing It is astonishing how quickly people get to know about a car, and especially about the men who build it. People are not buying Dodge Brothers Motor Car simply because they want a car of some sort, or any sort. They are buying it because they want the precise and particular kind of a car which Dodge Brothers build. All over the country they seem to have a shrewd and accurate idea of exactly the kind of manufacturers Dodge Brothers are. They seem to know that Dodge Brothers idea, from the very first, was that if they built the car right—nothing else mattered much. People generally know all about the car— or nearly all—before they call on a Dodge Brothers dealer. They know it either from their own expe- rience, or from what they have seen or been told of other people’s experience. They pick out the very points for which it is noted everywhere—points which have not been emphasized especially in adver- tising. They know why they want the car—and they are more eager for it today all over the country than they have been at any other period in its history. The production has always been too small to come anywhere near satisfying the demand. It is at this moment, and it probably will be for years to come, no matter how much it may be increased. The explanation is ridiculously simple. The car has never bred anything but good will. Every time one of these cars goes intoa home it becomes an intimate part of the family life of that home. It gets nothing but good words and good will. The result is that that particular home be- comes alittle circle of good will revolving around Dodge Brothers Motor Car. The circle spreads out finally, and takes in a near-by neighbor. That neighbor's home, in turn, begins to radiate good will toward Dodge Broth- ers and their car, and the circle keeps on growing. In that way it has grown wider and wid- er, till it takes in the entire country. There is always a desire for the car waiting to be satisfied, as fast as the dealer gets in a supply. That’s why sales of more than sixty-three million dollars in a year and a half have fallen far short of satisfying the demand. The car has qualities peculiar to itself. People have found this out in their own way. It has made good with them, and they have given it their good will. That is why the good will circle goes on growing greater and greater. Dodge Brothers know this. They know it is the biggest and best asset in their business. And, knowing it, they will of course keep on making the car better and better. Dooce BRotwers.Detroir - The gasoline consumption is urusually low, The price of the Touring Car or Roadster, complete, The tire mileage is unusually high. is $785 ( ©. b. Detroit) Canadian price $1100 (add freight from Detroit) comicbooks.com