Life — September 20, 1917 — page 6: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This is **not a political cartoon or satire** — it's a straightforward advertisement for Marathon Hand Made Tires, appearing in *Life* magazine (page 450). The image shows an athlete in classical pose, arm raised triumphantly while perched on a large tire. The ad uses an extended metaphor: just as trained athletes develop uniform physical strength through careful training, Marathon tires are built with meticulous hand-craftsmanship to ensure uniform strength throughout, preventing weak spots that cause failure. The copy emphasizes quality control — each tire is hand-inspected at multiple stages. The ad positions Marathon as a premium product, costing more than machine-made competitors but offering superior durability and reliability. **The company:** The Marathon Tire & Rubber Co., based in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio (with a Canadian factory).