Life, 1916-11-30 · page 27 of 42
Life — November 30, 1916 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **product advertisement** for the mimeograph machine, manufactured by A.B. Dick Company. The page contains no political satire or caricature. The image shows two businessmen examining identical documents, illustrating the ad's central claim: mimeographed copies are so perfect that even careful inspection cannot distinguish them from original typewritten sheets. This was a genuine selling point in the early 20th century. The advertisement emphasizes practical office benefits—speed ("a thousand ready in twenty minutes"), cost reduction ("cut your printing bills in two"), and versatility (copying typewriting, handwriting, drawings, etc.). The "power glass" reference suggests using a magnifying glass to verify copy quality. For modern readers: the mimeograph was revolutionary office technology before photocopiers existed. This ad markets it as a time- and money-saving innovation for business efficiency—analogous to how companies today advertise digital document management tools.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“Which is which?” Even a power lass fails to distinguish be- tween an original typewritten sheet and its mimeographed copy. And these clear, sharp, perfect duplicates are made quickly—a thousand ready in twenty minutes! You use a new waxless stencil that’s prepared in a few minutes and takes the place of enZravings as well as type. At one impression—on the same sheet—you may now duplicate typewriting, handwriting, rule work, figures, drawings, sketches. The mimeograph will cut your printin3, bills in two—multiply your office efficiency—extend your sales-zone. How? Booklet “W” describes forty-odd tested ways. Write A. B. Dick Company, Chica}o—and New York.