Life — May 22, 1919 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Taking a Chance" This cartoon shows an automobile with a "LICENSE APPLIED FOR" sign, depicted from above in a stark, somewhat ominous manner. The image suggests the vehicle is precariously positioned—the composition emphasizes wheels and undercarriage against what appears to be rough terrain or a cliff edge. The title "Taking a Chance" plays on the irony of a vehicle operating without proper licensing. In 1919, automobile regulation was still relatively new in America, and this likely satirizes either: the risks of unlicensed driving, the proliferation of automobiles outpacing legal oversight, or perhaps reckless motorists flouting regulations. The stark photographic style—rare for Life at the time—heightens the sense of danger or consequences, suggesting that operating without proper authorization was foolish or hazardous.