Life, 1917-12-20 · page 6 of 40
Life — December 20, 1917 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily a **Packard automobile advertisement**, not a political cartoon. It appears from the *Life* magazine archives (page 1034). The ad uses a visual comparison: a skier in free flight down a snowy slope positioned above a Packard Imperial Limousine. The headline asks "Why do men ski?" to draw a parallel between skiing's thrilling sensation of unimpeded speed and the driving experience offered by Packard's Twin-Six engine. The copy emphasizes engineering features—smooth power, minimal vibration from twelve balanced cylinders—positioning the car as delivering the "thrill" and "beauty of motion" comparable to winter sports. This is straightforward automotive marketing rhetoric from the early automobile era, targeting wealthy consumers who could afford luxury vehicles and leisure skiing.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The new Packard Imperial Limousine, seven passengers Why do men ski? In free flight—down the long incline he sweeps at the speed of the wind—unham- pered by that resisting force—vibration. Slivers of wood and flakes of snow supply the means of obtaining the thrill- ing sense of unfettered power. Smoothest speed is not only desirable from the standpoint of pleasure—but it is always most efficient speed. Because the Twin Six engine has min- imized vibration—it not only adds to the exhilarating joy of motoring—but con- serves the stored-up power of gasoline. Twelve balanced and sprightly cylin- ders divide the stresses—and develop great, smooth, economical power. “Beauty of motion” is in this splendid Packard accompanied by a beauty of design that surely adds to the delight of the fine sport of Twin Six motoring. Seventeen distinctive body styles in open and enclosed cars in the Third Series Twin Six—3-25 and 3-35 Ask the may who ow ns one Packard Motor Car Company, Detroit PLE TWIN'G