Life — September 18, 1919 — page 47: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is not a cartoon or satire—it's a **full-page advertisement** from *Life* magazine for the Cole Aero-Eight automobile, manufactured by Cole Motor Car Company in Indianapolis. The ad features a technical illustration of a "Sportousine" (an open-air touring car) shown in profile against a dark background. The design emphasizes the vehicle's modern engineering with phrases like "Exclusive Designs," "Advanced Engineering," "Greater Performance," and "Efficiency." The winged emblem and formal typography suggest prestige and innovation. This represents early 20th-century automotive advertising, targeting affluent readers interested in cutting-edge motor car technology. There is no political satire or social commentary—merely product promotion typical of *Life* magazine's mixed editorial and advertising content during this era.