Life, 1918-12-26 · page 31 of 35
Life — December 26, 1918 — page 31: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a cartoon or satire**, but a **product advertisement** disguised as editorial content—a common practice in early 20th-century magazines. The page features a testimonial from Clay Urie, owner of an auto delivery service in Toledo, Ohio, praising Goodyear Pneumatic Cord Truck Tires. The photograph shows a close-up of a truck tire with its tread pattern visible. The "news" angle is that Urie conducted a test switching from solid tires to pneumatic cords, allegedly experiencing faster deliveries, reduced fuel costs, eliminated repair bills, and reliable winter performance. By 1917 (the implied date), pneumatic tires were still relatively new technology for commercial trucks. **For modern readers:** This represents branded advertorial—marketing copy presented with quasi-journalistic authority and specific claims. The emphasis on measurable results (13,650 miles, cost savings) and a named "real customer" reflects early advertising strategy mimicking news reporting to build consumer trust.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ements. fy . T'se guy > an! ge 2 good lar washia’ done I kig Journal you! You se! expect te expert ace : er, he is a hat T want fis Star, My wife mnths.” “We have adopted Goodyear Pneumatic Cord Truck Tires for our work because they supply the requisite speed and stamina, at the same time greatly reducing truck repairs. As a matter of fact, they make hard work easy.’’— Mr. Clay Urie, of Clay Urie Auto Delivery Service, Toledo, Ohio. HIS statement sums up the results of a test of Goodyear Pneumatic ‘ord Truck Tires begun on August 1, 17, by Mr. Urie who is the distribu- prof the Toledo News-Bee. efound that a change-over from solid ts to Goodyear Cords enabled a 1-ton ck to make quicker deliveries to eusdealers. He also noted appreciable reductions in fuel and oil expense. In addition, repair bills had been practical- ly eliminated. Further, this Goodyear-Cord-equipped truck ran on schedule during last winter’s heavy snows which tied up solid-tired trucks, At the time the photograph above was taken all four Goodyear Pneumatics had gone 13,650 miles and appeared capable of much more service. Consequently, by reason of ability plus stamina, Goodyear Pneumatic Cord Truck Tires have made improvements possible in this newspaper delivery work just as they have pioneered better- ments if many other kinds of hauling. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Akron, O. Ccomicbooks.com