Life, 1919-05-01 · page 34 of 44
Life — May 1, 1919 — page 34: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising with satirical humor sections** rather than traditional editorial cartoons. The "Our Foolish Contemporaries" section mocks contemporary absurdities through brief anecdotes: 1. **The Ford cranking incident**: Satirizes early automobile dangers—a man is run over by a lady's Ford while hand-cranking it (the manual starting method for early cars). The joke ridicules both careless drivers and the hazards of primitive automobile operation. 2. **Senator Sorghum's "New Invention"**: Mocks politicians' reflexive support for trendy innovations (League of Nations, airplanes, wireless) without understanding them—Sorghum admits he backed inventions before ensuring they actually worked. 3. **The President's "oyster" joke**: A political quip suggesting President Wilson treats the world as his possession, while the Irish expect him to solve their independence ("find an emerald"). The rest of the page contains product advertisements (Gray & Davis lamps, Basline Autowinch rope, Allen's Foot-Ease) and a humorous recruitment ad for Life magazine subscribers mocking people with small brains. The humor reflects post-WWI American anxieties about technology, political leadership, and Irish-American concerns.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
In a Pinch, use ALLEN’S FOOT-EASE 766 OUR, FOOLISH CONTEMPORARIES: ASE hurt?" asked the washing- h “He says he was run over by a bunch of joy riders,” replied the landlord of the Petunia Tavern. “ But there is a hoarse rumor going around that he fell asleep while cranking a lady’s Ford, and she, thinking he was through with the job, started forward and surged athwart him, as they say in stories.” —Kansas Ci The New Invention “ Are you in favor of a League of Na- tions?” “Of course,” answered Senator Sor- ghum; “the same as I was in favor of the airplane and wireless telegraphy. But I made sure they had a piece of, machin- ery that would work before I advised my friends to invest everything they pos- sessed on earth in either of those great ideas."—Washington Star. “Tue bookkeeper complains of pains in his stomach.” “ He doesn't look sick.” “He doesn't claim to be sick to-day. I think he is laying a foundation toward being sick next week.” QUALITY is the most vital factor in the performance of lighting system. of electrical equipment the name “Gray & Davis” has been synonymous with Quality in material, workmanship and desi; GRAY & DAVIS, Inc. Since the inception any starting- for motor cars, ign. Boston, Mass. —Louisville Courier-Journal. Knicker: The President thinks the world is his oyster. Bocker: And the Irish expect him to find an emerald in it—New York Sun. ett rai nt “There It Comes!’’ Out of a ditch or mudhole on your own power! It's easy--with a Basuine Autowtine. Simply fasten one end to a rear wheel, take a turn around the hub, and fasten other end to fence post. Then start your motor and—presto!—you're off again! The “Little Steel Rope with the Big Pull” is made of reliable Yellow Strand Wire Rope, with patented Snaffle Hooks. At dealers, $5.80 east of Rockies. Powerstert Autowtock—also of Yellow Strand Rope with sturdy spring lock —insures against theft. At dealers, $2.35 east of Rockies, Powexstrr. TRUCK- Line stands big pulls. $11.30 with plain hooks; $12.75 with Snaffle Hooks— east of Rockies, Brovertck & Bascom Rore CoMPANy, ST. LOUIS, NEW YORK Manufacturers of Celebrated B. & B. Ware Rope—Used at Leading Oil Fields Sr OWLINE ‘ANTED —For exhibition pur- poses, a@ man with so small a brain that he doesn't appreciate how much fun, happiness and artistic edu- cation he can give himself and his family by becoming an annual sub- scriber to Lire,