Life, 1919-08-28 · page 37 of 40
Life — August 28, 1919 — page 37: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a cartoon or satire**—it's a straightforward automobile advertisement from Life magazine's early automotive era (likely 1910s-1920s). The page promotes the Columbia Six automobile, highlighting its "Sylphon" thermostat and automatic radiator shutters as advanced engineering features. The diagram shows the thermostat mechanism, explaining how it automatically adjusts airflow through the radiator based on temperature, eliminating the need for manual carburetor adjustments. The satire-like section titled "For the Mechanically Inclined" uses humorous technical language and an exaggerated "cat-away view" diagram to appeal to readers interested in automotive mechanics. However, this is marketing strategy rather than political commentary—targeting educated, mechanically-minded consumers by making complex engineering seem both impressive and understandable. The page emphasizes that these features are "exclusively" standard equipment on Columbia Six models, justifying premium pricing ($1,695-$2,850).
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
+< The Thermostat For the Mechanically Inclined. ation shows a cat-away view of the shatters and controlling “Sylphon’” thermostat. Exery motor mechanic knows that for perfect car- the carburetor should continoally be uted to meet the slightes. temperature changes. ‘Splohon’’ thermostat and shatters on the Golamiva Six automatically keep the motor at @ comtant temperatare, obviating the necessity of cerbaretor adjustments and eliminating starting treable, slow warming ap, hood cocers and the ihe os cold weather. Carefal tests have proved automatic motor temperature contrel results in as much as thirty percent in- The Shutters that Help the Motor In front of the Columbia radiator are shutters which are opened and closed automatically by the ‘“‘Sylphon’”’ thermostat, allowing a greater or less volume of air to rush through the radiator and around the motor, depending upon the temperature. They enable the motor to operate at the most efficient temper- ature, winter and summer. They insure perfect carburetion, utmost motor efficiency and gasoline economy, and do away with the multitude of motor troubles due to variation in weather and temperature. This is but one of the many advanced features now found as standard equipment exclusively on the Columbia Six. You will like the Columbia Six because of its uniform performance. You will like it because of the parts that compose it—each one the best that can be bought or manufactured—parts which you know by reputation and can depend on You will like the Columbia Six because of its beauty of lines, finish and appoint- ments, You will like it because it combines more of the desirable features which the car owner wants than are ordinarily found in one car. Prices—Five-Passenger Touring Car, $1695.00; Four-Passenger Sport Model (Five wire wheels included), $1835.00; Three-Passenger Roadster (Five wire wheels included), $1845.00; Three Passenger Coupe, $2850.00; Five-Passenger Touring Sedan, $2850.00, Prices F, O. B. Detroit COLUMBIA MOTORS COMPANY DETROIT, U. § comicbooks.com