Life — June 21, 1917 — page 2: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis: "My Tire" - Michelin Advertisement This is primarily a **Michelin tire company advertisement** disguised as editorial content in Life magazine. The cartoon depicts three figures—a thin man in black on the left, the famous **Michelin Man** (the rotund mascot made of tire rings) in the center, and a uniformed officer on the right—appearing to interact or dance together. The accompanying poem "My Tire" is advertising copy promoting Michelin tires' durability and quality. It emphasizes that despite being "not so very fancy," Michelin tires are honest, durable products made with "skill and science" by tire specialists. The humor relies on the Michelin Man's distinctive appearance and the somewhat absurd image of this character participating in everyday life, making the advertisement more engaging than straightforward promotional text.