Life, 1919-12-25 · page 32 of 37
Life — December 25, 1919 — page 32: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This Life magazine piece humorously investigates the disappearance of pie from American life. The writer consults three contemporary figures: **Sir Oliver Lodge**, a famous British spiritualist and physicist, who comically insists he cannot answer unless pie has actually vanished—a deadpan logical joke. **Henry Ford**, depicted as so disconnected from ordinary life that he doesn't even know what pie is, then absurdly claims he knows "a man" who can explain it in five minutes—mocking Ford's obsession with efficiency and delegation. **Amy Lowell**, a Boston poet and literary figure, presumably approached as someone who might understand pie's cultural/artistic significance. The satire targets American modernity: spiritualism's pretensions, Ford's industrial dehumanization, and intellectual elitism. The ouija board's cryptic response ("thought of pie is well and happy... I am waiting for it—Mrs. Eddy") mocks both spiritualism and Christian Science founder Mary Baker Eddy. The joke: pie's "disappearance" reflects changing American society, yet nobody in positions of influence seems to notice or care.
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Boston Garter Kieu The comfort and long service you enjoy in wearing the Boston Garter are the result of our fixed policy— Quality First! GEORGE FROST CO. MAKERS BOSTON Boap Ze., Ointment 25. {00., Talcum Ze. Sample Jeach mailed free by “Cuticura, Dept. B, Boston.” monthly buys outright ony stock or bond, Purchaser secures all dividends. Odd lots our specialty Write for selected Uist and full particulars. ~ FREE CHARLE 5 O Pie, Where Art Thou? Why is pie disappearing? BVIOUSLY no. paper of Lirr’s aggressive- ness can leave Mr. # Finck in the dark on this important issue. Determined to spare no trouble, we at once called upon Sir Oliver Lodge. “Good morning, Sir Oliver, marked. “We have come to you on Mr. Finck’s behalf. Do, please, tell us why pie is disappearing.” Sir Oliver looked sadly upon us. “T cannot tell you that unless it has dis- appeared,” he said. “Of course,” we explained, “we hope it hasn't gone from the world of the living. But since Mr. Finck, with all his influence, can’t seem to find it anywhere, won't you give the here- after a ring, just on the chance?” we re- CUPID AS HE WOULD LIKE TO ME IN Soatr CASES The great spiritist. nodded benignly, extinguished the lights, turned on the wind machine and unleashed the gold- fish. It was a thrilling moment. The ouija board quivered like a live thing under the secure half-nelson hold of the well-known knight. Breathless with excitement, we deciphered its tic message. hought of pie is well and happy. The real article is not he ing for it—Mrs. Eddy.” ASPIRIN . Tam wait- Name ‘‘Bayer’’ identifies gen- uine Aspirin introduced in 1900 | A BAYER = R Insist on unbroken packages BAYER-TABLETS of ASPIRIN Boxes of 12 tablets Bottles of 25 and 100 Also capsules Aspirin Is the trade mark of Bayer Manctactore of Monoaceticacidester of Salicylicacid OWNE NAME IN EVERY PAIR Whatever the material—leather silk or fabric; whatever the occasion, you can depend on the fit and style of Fownes GLOVES FOR MEN. WOMEN & CHILDREN Corwenient lo Chealres and Shops H| THE BILTMORE NEW YORK lg We thanked Sir Oliver and left. It was some comfort to know our search limited to this planet. Naturally enough, we appealed next to Mr. Ford. We found him giving Edsel his bottle. What is pie?” he demanded naively. We were amazed. “You don’t know?” we cried. “No,” he replied, “I don't, but I know a man who can tell me in five minutes.” And he pressed a but- ton, But we had taken flight. Surely, we thought, we must learn the exact nature of pie if we are to serve Mr. Finck adequately. Where could we better investigate than in New Eng- land? That is why we went to Amy Lowell. “To be sure, I can tell you all about