Life, 1918-10-24 · page 29 of 34
Life — October 24, 1918 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **product advertisement**, not political satire or editorial cartoon. It promotes Robbins & Myers Motors, an electric motor manufacturer based in Springfield, Ohio. The image shows a man operating an early motion-picture camera—a contemporary reference to modern industrial and commercial equipment. The headline "The Finishing Quality Touch" uses this visual metaphor to suggest that R&M Motors represent the final element of quality in any machine. The advertisement's pitch is straightforward: quality manufacturers choose Robbins & Myers Motors because they guarantee reliability and durability. The text emphasizes that these motors power "vacuum cleaners, washing machines, addressing machines, coffee grinders"—labor-saving devices gaining popularity in the 1920s-era American home and factory. The advertisement claims 21 years of dependable operation and positions R&M Motors as a mark of quality comparable to "quality seeking quality." This is typical early 20th-century industrial advertising targeting manufacturers and businesses rather than consumers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
aaDaed Dele =| The Finishing A splendid labor-saving machine has been built. A motor is to run it. But, what motor? The manufacturer’s standard is high. He has put his utmost into his product—thought, materials, workman- ship, design. ‘The motive equipment must be in full keeping with his ideals. So, what motor? The answer is found on the better electrically-driven vacuum cleaners, washing machines, addressing ma- chines, coffee grinders, meat choppers, and a host of other devices that ease the day’s work. It is found in the famous Robbins & Myers Motors which for twenty-one years have meant so much in dependability of operation. ‘The leading concerns in these fields of endeavor select Robbins & Myers Motors for the guarantee of service which the name has come to imply. Quality seeks quality. obbins & Mver Motors oe Quality Touch Any motor-driven labor-saving device for the factory, office, home or store is representative of the best if Robbins & Myers equipped. R&M Motors indicate the device’s high quality throughout. ‘Thus a Robbins & Myers Motor is a guide to unusual value in the purchase of any electrically-driven device. Likewise, users of power in a thousand industries secure maintained production through the use of Robbins & Myers Motors. They know that these motors reduce maintenance costs and speed output through uninterrupted service. Sizes range from 1-40 to 30 horsepower. Whatever the motor need in these sizes there’s an R&M Motor to meet it. Electrical-device manufacturers, power users and deal- ers find their motor ideals realized in the R&M line. The Robbins & Myers Company, Springfield, Ohio For Taventy-one Years Makers of Quality Fans and Motors Branches in All Principal Cities 4 comicbooks.com