Life, 1917-02-01 · page 31 of 40
Life — February 1, 1917 — page 31: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is **primarily an advertisement**, not political satire. It's a Republic Tire Company ad from Life magazine promoting automobile tires through testimonial-style marketing. The illustration shows a racing car with large tires, emphasizing speed and performance. The ad's key message is that Republic Tires are superior and inspire customer loyalty—once drivers try them, they become repeat buyers regardless of what car they own. The "Prodium Process" is presented as the tire's exclusive manufacturing advantage. The ad uses persuasive rhetoric common to early 20th-century advertising: claims that satisfied customers become enthusiastic advocates, and suggestions that asking any Republic Tire user will confirm the product's superiority. There is **no political cartoon or satire present**. This is straightforward commercial advertising from the Youngstown, Ohio-based Republic Rubber Company, designed to appear alongside Life's editorial content.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A Republic Tire on Every Wheel When you see a Republic Tire you will usually find at least three others, or if there are other makes they are old ones. After a man tries out a Republic his new tires thereafter will almost invariably be Republics. That motorist has sailed thru the stormy sea of doubt and anchored safe in the harbor of decision. There’s no question in his mind now. When you ask him which are the best tires ” he will say without hesitation, “ Republics of course.” He may change cars. ere are many types and many prices of cars and what is best for him today may not be tomorrow. But for him there’s only one tire for every car. k any man who uses Republic Tires. Ask him why he is so positive. REPUBLIC TIRES and Republic Black-Line Red Inner Tubes are made with a purpose. Back of every Republic Tire is an ideal in manufacture that has never waver Prodium Process rubber that gives Republic Tires their toughness, resiliency, safety, and road defiance, and reflects the character of Republic methods, is but one of the many exclusive reasons for Republic supremacy. One tire sells three more. That’s why progressive dealers everywhere are turning to Republics. The Republic Rubber Company Youngstown, Ohio Branches and Agents in All Principal Cities STAGGaRp TRADE ManK azcisy, Made in the Famous 3 and Plain Treads 1 OSE PATENT OFFICE comicbooks.com