Life, 1919-09-11 · page 33 of 48
Life — September 11, 1919 — page 33: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a cartoon or satire**—it's a straightforward advertisement for Simmons metal beds, appearing in Life magazine (page 463). The page promotes the "Florentine" metal bed design, marketed as the first artistically designed metal beds. The advertisement emphasizes Simmons's innovation: seamless steel tubing, enamel finishes, and various decorative styles (Ivory, hardwood effects, brass). The copy targets female consumers, noting women had "wondered when metal beds would catch up" with modern furniture standards. It details customization options (Twin/Double, colors) and complementary spring systems, positioning Simmons as the quality choice. This reflects early 20th-century consumer culture and gender-targeted marketing—appealing to housewives making bedroom furnishings decisions. The "Built for Sleep" slogan emphasizes restfulness and durability, standard advertising rhetoric of the era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Introducing a new art— Metra Beps that are really beautiful OR a long time women have been wondering when metal beds would catch up with the artistic standards set by other modern furniture. Hence their delighted surprise over the new Simmons designs—the first real designs in metal beds, and the fastest selling metal beds in good stores, everywhere. The “Florentine” illustrated above (No, 1813), is a good example of this great forward step of the Simmons Company—putting good design into metal beds. B Note especially the square tubing. This is Simmons’ new Seamless Steel Tubing—a Simmons invention, exclusive with this Company, and the first truly seamless tubing ever produced for metal beds. Smooth all over and beautifully enameled, free from crack, pin-hole or roughness. Now with these beautiful designs in the stores, a woman can go with a picture of her bedroom in her mind and select exactly the Simmons bed that will look right in the room. Her choice of Twin Pair or Double Width— and of enamels in Ivory, the accepted Decora tive Colors, and Hardwood effects, Oak, Ma+ hogany and Circassian Walnut. Or, if she prefers Brass Beds, she may select from a variety of Simmons designs in satin or bright finish. Beds Built for Sleep—held together firmly with the Simmons Pressed Steel Corner Locks, that prevent rattle and squeak; so that the nerves and muscles are invited to relax, bringing deep, refreshing sleep. B This question of sleep may lead you to think of springs for your bed. A spring that really supports the body in every sleeping position—clastic and restful, yet never soft or slack, never “humpy.” It will be worth your while to examine the Simmons Springs. Your choice of two types— Tne Stemsex Kinc—a spring com- posed of flexible steel strips with spirals of high-test spring wire; so combined that the spring action is equal in all directions, Regular finish, silver gray, oxidized —rustproof. Tur Mouxt Verxox—the mons improvement on the box-spring idea, Finish, oxidized copper—rustproof. And if sleeping equipment for children is ‘on your mind, you will be glad to know of the excellent Cribs produced by Simmons—Built Jor Sleep, and most desirable for a child who shows the slightest signs of restlessness. 8B Simmons Beds cost little, if any, more than old-style beds. If you have any difficulty in locating a Simmons dealer in your neighborhood, we shall be glad to direct you to one near your home. SIMMONS COMPANY, Kenosha, Wisconsin SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA NEWARK, NEW JERSEY MONTREAL, CANADA SIMMONS BEDS-2uilt for Sleep comicbooks.com