Life, 1917-03-15 · page 3 of 42
Life — March 15, 1917 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising, not satire or political commentary**. It's a full-page advertisement for the Marmon 34 automobile, published by Nordyke & Marmon Company of Indianapolis, Indiana (established 1851). The ad uses metaphorical language comparing driving to "the journey of life," emphasizing the car's ease of control and safety features (hand-brake, convenient ignition/lighting, emergency brake). The illustration shows a simplified car interior with steering wheel and dashboard. The appeal is to comfort and reliability rather than speed or luxury—the car is described as "easy to manage as a kodak is to snap" and enables driving "comfortably and expeditiously" without strain. This reflects early automotive marketing emphasizing practical, everyday utility for middle-class buyers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
MARMON 354 EASE AT ‘THE WHEEL N the journey of life there are many short turns, and unless you have self-control you're likely to get into trouble. And as it is in life so it is in an automobile. You must have your controls simple, and close at hand. Place yourself at the wheel of a Marmon 34. You will see at once that to shift your gears you don’t have to shift your position. You will find. ignition and lighting convenient neighbors and the emergency brake ready for instant use. This hand-brake enables you to control your car, comfortably and expeditiously, without lifting your foot from the accelerator. It’s an ever-ready, every-day brake, emergency or no emergency. The Marmon 34 is as easy to manage as a kodak is to snap. It starts without a jump and it stops without a jar. It responds to the wheel’s slightest hint, and, regardless of speed, holds snug to the road. This spells economy in maintenance and efficiency in operation. And it gives to the hand at the wheel that assured sense of perfect control which makes driving nota strain but a relaxation; not a task but a pleasure. NORDYKE & MARMON COMPANY Established 1851 INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA comicbooks.com