Life, 1917-03-29 · page 13 of 42
Life — March 29, 1917 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents a satirical article titled "Historic Spots, Ancient and Modern" that humorously contrasts Revolutionary War-era locations with modern automobile-related sites. The top cartoon shows a theater audience where a man stands to leave mid-performance—the caption warns those who "buy a seat in the centre of the row and persist in going out after every act." The article then lists eight "historic spots" where various American generals supposedly washed cars, changed tires, or had automotive mishaps during the American Revolution—an absurdist joke treating early automobiles as if they existed during the 1770s. The bottom illustration labeled "The Way of the Transmissor" appears to show people in a boat, likely another automotive-related visual gag. The satire targets how modern Americans overlay contemporary concerns (automobiles) onto historical narratives.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
FOR THE PEST WHO BUYS A SEAT IN THE CENTRE OF THE ROW AND PERSISTS IN GOING OUT AFTER EVERY ACT Historic Spots, Ancient and Modern 'HE eastern states are dotted with venerable elms to which Generals Washington and Lafayette are popular- ly supposed to have hitched their horses on various occa- sions during the American Revolution. If this country is forced to repel another invasion of its shores, these ancient landmarks will be overshadowed by newer and more up-to-date spots of historic interest, to wit: 1, The garage in which the great General Smith left his automobile to be washed just after the important battle of Milwaukee. 2. The glove-cleaning establishment where General Jones bought a quart of gasoline for $1.36, and by its aid was able to reach the Battle of Bethlehem in time to repulse the invaders. 3. The spot where General Brown climbed out of his gallant six-cylinder roadster on his way to the Battle of New Haven and removed a nail from a front tire with his teeth. 4. The service station at which General White had a tire changed in eighteen seconds while escaping from the motoreycle brigade of General Von Swizzle. S. The place where General Black's limousine got stuck in the mud while he was leading the Third Army Corps into action, and where he was pulled out by a Ford just in time to rush reinforcements to General Green. 6. The bump in the road where one of the rear tires on General Gray’s machine blew out with a loud report, caus- ing the enemy to fall back under the impression that they were being enfiladed by heavy artillery. 7. The porte-cochére under which General Robinson parked his trusty automobile during the Battl¢ of Bridge- port. 8. The twelve thousand private garages in which Generals Smith, Jones, Brown, White, Black, Green, inson left their machines at various times during the war. K. L, Roberts. "THK WAY OF THE TRANSORESSOR ” comicbooks.com