Life, 1917-12-27 · page 4 of 41
Life — December 27, 1917 — page 4: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is **primarily an advertisement**, not satire or political commentary. It's a full-page ad by the American Chain Company promoting Weed Anti-Skid Chains for vehicle tires. The ad features a large illustration of tires equipped with chains stacked in rows, emphasizing their availability and variety. The text claims chains are "the only mechanical device yet invented that is absolutely dependable to make slippery roads safe." The advertisement attributes the campaign idea to "a car owner" concerned with "motoring safety for everyone," framing tire chains as essential safety equipment for winter driving. The company positions itself as the world's largest chain manufacturer, based in Bridgeport, Connecticut, with Canadian operations. This reflects early 20th-century winter driving concerns before modern tire technology.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
1072 Weed “i std Chains Behave THE ABOVE ADVERTISEMENT WAS SUGGESTED BY A CAR OWNER who has the best interests of motoring at heart. Experience taught him that tire chains are the only mechanical device yet invented that is absolutely dependable to make slippery roads safe. We want more suggestions for the chain campaign to insure motoring safety for everyone. The campaign which is of immediate, personal concern to every man who wants to protect himself, his wife, his children—from the driver, always ready to take the gambler’s chance. We want your ideas. Help Us Insure Motoring Safety for Everyone AMERICAN CHAIN COMPANY, Incorporated BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT In Canada: Dominion Chain Company, Ltd., Niagara Falls, Ontario WY. Largest Chain Manufacturers in the World THE COMPLETE CHAIN LINE—ALL TYPES, ALL SIZES, ALL FINISHES - FROM PLUMBERS’ SAFETY CHAIN TO SHIPS’ ANCHOR CHAIN comicbooks garam