Life — March 21, 1918 — page 2: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This is primarily a **product advertisement**, not political satire. The Macbeth-Evans Glass Company is marketing "Macbeth Lenses"—automobile safety lighting devices. The ad uses Shakespearean wordplay (the "Macbeth" name references the famous line "Out, damned spot"), presenting the product as essential safety equipment. The central diagram shows how the lens redirects light to prevent dangerous glare for oncoming drivers. The headline "Taking Chances is Criminal" emphasizes safety concerns of early automobile driving. Circular photographs around the border appear to show road/driving scenarios illustrating safety hazards. The ad claims the lens complies with various state laws and positions Macbeth Lenses as the legitimate, safe alternative to illegal or inadequate lighting—essentially a straightforward commercial appeal to automobile owners prioritizing safety and legal compliance.