Life, 1919-06-19 · page 2 of 42
Life — June 19, 1919 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **Michelin tire advertisement**, not editorial content. It warns motorists against counterfeit inner tubes flooding the market. The ad features Bibendum, Michelin's famous mascot (the round, puffy character made of tire rings), standing atop a Michelin inner tube box. **The pitch**: Unscrupulous competitors were selling fake tubes in boxes designed to mimic authentic Michelin packaging—fooling buyers through appearance alone. The warning advises consumers to carefully inspect boxes for proper sealing and verify they're purchasing genuine Michelin products. The address given is Michelin Tire Co. in Milltown, New Jersey. This reflects early 20th-century concerns about product counterfeiting and consumer protection during an era before modern packaging regulations and authentication methods existed.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Published Weekly by Life Publishing Company ary West Jim Street, New ¥ ¥. “opyright in England and the Britah Warning to Tzbe Buyers Nearly all motorists are familiar with the many imitations of Michelin Red Inner Tubes, and with the fact that such imitations have been unsuccess- ful except as regards color. Failing in imitating Michelin Quality some of these inferior tubes are now being offered in boxes closely resem- bling. the characteristic Michelin box both in design and color. To protect against substitution examine the box carefully being sure that it is sealed and that you are actually getting a Michelin Tube. MICHELIN TIRE CO., MILLTOWN, NEW JERSEY Canadian Headquarters: Michelin Tire Co., of Canada, Ltd. 782 St. Catherine St. W., Montreal Dealers in all parts of the world