Life, 1917-05-10 · page 43 of 46
Life — May 10, 1917 — page 43: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page combines educational content with period advertising and social commentary. **Main Content:** The large advertisement for Testbestos automobile brake lining uses a dramatic scenario—a newsboy nearly struck by a car—to illustrate product importance. The "If" structure emphasizes that brake failure could be catastrophic, creating urgency for quality brake linings. **Educational Section:** The left column presents exam questions for a Pulitzer School of Journalism politics course, referencing contemporary figures like Amos Pinchot and William Hearst, suggesting debates about media ethics and employer conduct. **Social Commentary:** The essay "Our Most Popular Disease" critiques vaccination skepticism and blind acceptance of authority. It satirizes people who distrust vaccines while praising those who question claims independently—reflecting early-20th-century anti-vaccination sentiment and highlighting credulity regarding "purity of the blood." **Period Advertising:** Includes whiskey and cocktail ads typical of pre-Prohibition content. The page reflects Life's satirical mission: mixing consumer messaging with intellectual critique of public attitudes and media institutions.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
TESIBESIOS Automobile Brake Lining PERSEUS AND ANDROMEDA Pulitzer School of Journalism Pouitics HI isin Eontoctedd The big touring car comes silently, speedily gliding (1) Who is more kinds of a detri dewn the unobstructed street——a newsboy darting ment, Amos Pinchot, Bouck White or Seote Nearing? from an open doorway falls sprawling directly in G) Wit. aidVilerdimol 4 the path of the rapidly approaching car—the driver shoves on ere Oe Vilerdinet te the brakes— except for a moment's anxious thrill nothing serious (4) Give six reasons why Oswald is happens — but, less objectionable as employer of news- paper men at this time than William If the brakes had not held. Hearst. Tf the brake lining had been (5) Give six reasons why he is more old or worn or faulty. objectionable. (6) Give your opinion whether Cesare is happy making anti-draft car- toons for Oswald. (7) Describe the political convic- tions of the Evening Mail, with date. (8) Give your diagnosis of the pe- culiarity of Josephus Daniels, ‘An automobile brake is no better than M4 Lath its lining—send today for our booklet “If—which tell hat you should (am Old Overholt Rye SU ha i “Same for 107 Years’ AMERICAN ASBESTOS COMPANY aura je A atraight Pennsylvania Rye, 1214Stambridge Street, Norristown, Pa.’ mucrirtejige cuuten aincsetb, aged in the wood. Roce = It has a delightful fragrance —_ - and a piquant flavor. Our Most Popular Disease A. Overholt & Co. Pittsbargh, Pa. UR most popular disease at present is vaccination. All other diseases people try to = avoid, but this one they welcome, gladly paying the doctor his customary fee for infecting them with it in proper professional manner, Of course, while the people know that vaccination is a disease, and sometimes a fatal disease, they do not voluntarily contract it simply for the ineffable pleasure of being B — diseased, but because they are told that this disease will prevent them from getting: a ACARDI tryim veanne dscase! MAKES THE PERFECT It is most popular with people who believe what they are told. People who look into rSOCKTAIL, HIGHBALL OR RICKE the question for themselves discover that vaccination is a disease that cannot prevent any- F contalning recines of tainous Bacarit a thing but purity of the blood. comicbooks.com