Life — April 3, 1919 — page 6: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This is primarily a **Raulang automobile advertisement**, not political satire. The Baker R & L Company of Cleveland is marketing their "Raulang" electric car to male drivers. The ad's appeal targets practical concerns of the era: electric cars offered reliability, ease of operation, and freedom from mechanical annoyances plaguing gasoline vehicles. The tagline "More Men Now Prefer the Raulang!" suggests electric automobiles were gaining acceptance among skeptical male consumers who traditionally favored gas-powered cars. The illustration shows two well-dressed men in an open-air Raulang, with pastoral scenery visible through the windshield, emphasizing comfort and leisurely driving. The copy emphasizes the car's flexibility, cleanliness, and all-purpose utility for modern family life—positioning electric vehicles as the sophisticated choice for discerning drivers.