Life, 1919-01-23 · page 37 of 42
Life — January 23, 1919 — page 37: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is **primarily an advertisement**, not political satire. It promotes the Addressograph, a mechanical device that automated address printing for businesses in the early 20th century. The cartoon illustrations show the machine's practical use: businesspeople and office workers using the device to print addresses onto forms, circulars, and mailing materials—tasks previously done by hand. The "satire" is gentle and self-promotional: the machine supposedly "addresses itself" by automating tedious clerical work, saving time and reducing errors. The humor lies in personification and the relief from administrative drudgery. For modern readers, the most striking aspect is how this represents an early stage of office automation—the Addressograph was to its era what computer databases are today. The advertisement emphasizes speed (15 times faster than pen or typewriter) and efficiency, core selling points to businesses managing growing mailing lists. There is no political commentary or caricature of public figures visible here.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
confident lent.” taken the Herald. he Card Index that ddresses Itself HE ordinary card index means drudge money copying names and addresses. But here is a ci uldresses itself. dere is a card index that you put into a simple machine—the \ddressograph. It automatically * typewrites ” names and other data onto ills, circulars, shipping tags, pay forms, ete., 15 times faster than pen or vpewriter. hist plice a handful of plates in a $60 Hand Addressograph, or a drawerful in reer models, Plates can be made in your office. Index cards at top printed from respective ules. Vertical tabs in different positions facilitate card index arrangement and cl y territories, ete. Colored tabs indicate credit, etc. Hand, fect lever of motor models for speciily printing THRU RIBBON) typewritten names, addresses, and other data on nyone can Addressograph names and other data exactly like typewriting—15 times faster. —> Changes in Prices Route Sheets kes and omissions impossible. Entire list can be addressed or, with “ selector” attachment, Circulars Record Sheets he names or data desired may be printed without disturbing card index arrangement. Letters to “Fill In” Dividend Forms REE TRIAL Let us prove it on your own work. Envelopes. Tavetory Reese Our representative will call with’ a $60 Ribbon Print Hand He will demonstrate it at your desk. If desired, he will leave it for FREE TRIAL. Pay Forms Labels Shop Orders Tags, Etc. Prompt service furnished at these cities — or you can Mail to nearest office—or phone for representative if list opposite names your city. make address plates in your own office if preferred: See ee ee ee ee Salt Lake (ity ‘We use forms checked below: ADDRESSOGRAPH COMPANY ( 9175 ), Chicago Filling in Letters Route Sheets | Without cost or obligation, please give us: Record Sheets CShop Orders. Facts about trial offer CDemonstration in our office I OStatements CEnvelopes, Circulars |e ODividend Forms OTags, Labels \~ OPay Forms OPrice Lists, Wrappers |r f St Loos Winniper, Man. 4 OChecks Olnventory Records Montreal St. Peal Peoria Philadelphia Phoenix. Pittaborgh Revo Address... comicbooks.com