Life, 1918-07-11 · page 6 of 34
Life — July 11, 1918 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This page is primarily an **advertisement for Weed Tire Chains**, not satire or political commentary. The ad uses a safety-focused message connecting rainy weather to driving hazards. The visual shows a woman observing a man installing tire chains on a car during rain. The advertisement's argument is straightforward: rain causes skidding accidents; therefore, drivers have a responsibility to install chains for safety ("For Safety's Sake Put Chains on Your Tires"). The tagline "Rain Weather Chain Weather—They Go Together" frames tire chains as a necessary safety accessory during wet conditions. This reflects early-automobile-era concerns about vehicle control on slippery roads, before modern tire technology and road infrastructure. The ad emphasizes driver responsibility for public safety, particularly protecting pedestrians from accidents.