Life, 1919-10-16 · page 2 of 36
Life — October 16, 1919 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **Michelin Tire Company advertisement**, not political satire. The page explains a technical innovation in tire design. The advertisement highlights that Michelin's ring-shaped inflated tubes have a 22-inch difference between outer circumference (107") and inner circumference (85")—a larger differential than competitors' straight tubes. The Michelin Man mascot (visible at bottom left) celebrates this engineering advantage. The text emphasizes that Michelin's ring-shaped design prevents strain and compression issues that occur with straight tubes, which must stretch to fit the tire's outer circumference. The advertisement positions this as a superior solution for tire durability and performance. This is straightforward product marketing rather than social or political commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Outer Creumference around Inflated Tube 107° Difference Ze Surprising though it may seem to the uninitiated, the outside circumference of any inflated 34 x 4 tube is 22 inches greater than the inside circumference. Entered as Second Vhere are you going to get those extra) D incre Any inner tube when inflated is radically longer around its outer circumference than around its inner circumference as is shown by the illustration above. Recognizing this basic principle, Michelin Scientists have built this difference into the Michelin Tube by making it ring-shaped. But every other tube is made perfectly straight — its outer circumference being of practically the same length as the inner circumference. Since all tubes when in service must fill the inside of the casing, it is obvious that straight tubes must be stretched on the outer circumference or compressed next to the rim or both. whereas Michelin Tubes, being shaped to fit, are free from all strains of tension or compression. MICHELIN TIRE CO, Milltown, New Jersey Canadian Headeverters: Michelin Tire Co. of Canada, Limited, 782 St. Catherine Street, W., Montreal Deslers ia all parte of the world comicbooks.ciat