Life, 1920-01-22 · page 2 of 36
Life — January 22, 1920 — 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 features the famous Michelin Man mascot (Bibendum) — a rotund, tire-like figure made of stacked tire rings — holding a Michelin tire. The ad promotes the "Michelin 30x3½" tire size for small cars. The sales pitch emphasizes that small tires maintain the same quality standards as larger Michelin products, using identical materials and manufacturing processes from their New Jersey factory. The small figures at the bottom appear to represent ordinary people/consumers, reinforcing the accessible, everyday nature of this tire option. This is **commercial advertising**, not editorial commentary or political cartoons, though the Michelin Man mascot itself became an iconic American advertising character during this era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“pontiened Weekty by Lite Putitehinn Comouny Street. ees MICHELIN 4 The small car is moderately priced be- cause it is a small car—not because poor materials are used in its con- struction. Maintain its efficiency and economy by using Michelin Tires. Small size Michelins are made of the same quality materials, by the same careful workmen, in the same modern factory that have made Michelin Ring- shaped Tubes and other Michelin prod- ucts famous. MICHELIN TIRE COMPANY Milltown, New Jersey Dealers in all parts of the world Vi if CZ worl: tion t again Th comicbooks.com