Life, 1918-05-02 · page 3 of 40
Life — May 2, 1918 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **product advertisement** for United States Tires, not political satire. The page promotes tire durability through a specific claim: a US Tire achieved 41,633 miles on the Redondo Stage route (a stagecoach line running between San Pedro, California and Redondo). The image shows a vintage automobile with passengers alongside what appears to be a Mexican figure in traditional dress and sombrero, positioned against a desert landscape with a saguaro cactus. This likely reflects the Redondo Stage's Southwestern route. The right panel offers practical tire care advice ("Don't Waste Mileage"), emphasizing proper maintenance. Rather than satire, this is straightforward early-20th-century automobile advertising using a real-world driving record to establish product reliability.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
United States Tires are Good Tires 41633 miles on the Redondo Stage You can remember the day when 4000 miles on a tire was astounding mileage. Today a good tire, properly handled, should go much farther. We have anauthentic record of one United States Royal Cord Tire that achieved the exceptional mileage of 41,633. Not on a gingerly-driven private car but on the Redondo Stage, a sixteen passenger motor bus that plies between Redondo and San Pedro, California. As a matter of business, the Stage Com- pany keeps a record of tire mileage. M. J. Kent, Manager of the Company, says that two other Royal Cords on the same Stage have covered more than 22,000 miles each and are still in good condition. No one can estimate accurately the mile- age that any tire will give. Too many con- ditions influence service. But it is a fact proved time and again that United States Tires will give the plus service that makes them a first-class investment. It pays to buy good tires. It pays to take good care of them. In equipping your car with United States Tires, you know that you are getting more miles for your money, —utmost in service and satisfaction, —demonstrated value that has sent the sales of United States Tires mounting to one new record after another. Five treads give you a choice to fit every motoring need. Also Tires for Motor Trucks, Motorcycles, Bicycles and Aéroplanes United States Tubes and Tire Accessories Gea Have All the Sterling Worth and Wear that Make United States Tires Supreme. Don’t Waste Mileage Don’t scrape your tires on the curb. Don't run in car tracks. Don't set brakes so quickly ‘as to lock wheels. Slow up for bridgs and crossovers. Don't let tires stand in oil. Don’t neglect cuts in tread. IN'T RUN WITH TIRES UNDER-INFLATED comicbooks.com