Life, 1920-02-05 · page 33 of 52
Life — February 5, 1920 — page 33: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a full-page advertisement, not political satire. The "cartoon" element is minimal—just an illustration of twin beds positioned under a window with ivy. The ad promotes Simmons Company's metal twin beds by framing separate sleeping as medically endorsed. The text claims doctors advocate twin beds because one sleeper won't disturb the other with movement, noise, or illness transmission. This reflects 1920s health anxieties and early-century marriage advice emphasizing hygiene and rest. The "Montross" model is highlighted as featuring "noiseless" steel construction and easy-rolling casters. Notably, the ad appeals to both practical concerns (sleep quality) and modern aspirations (design, status as the "largest maker of fine Metal Beds"). There's no political message—this is straightforward commercial persuasion using pseudo-medical authority to market a then-novel concept: separate beds for married couples.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The ‘‘MONTROSS”’ No. 1990—in Twin Pair Made of Simmons’ new Square Steel Tubing—Seamless, smooth ind beautifully finished. Exquisitely enameled in the accepted Decorative Colors. Has the Simmons patented pressed steel Noiseless Corner Locks, Fasy rolling casters. Your choice of Twin Pair and Double Width, | Specially pleas- ing in Tewin Pair, Why the Dsctor a Advocates Twin Beds ET a good, sound sleep every night — every nerve, every muscle relaxed—and Nature will fill your body with new energy, and wake you up fit and fine. Every muscle relaxed! No one can sleep perfectly with nerves on edge or muscles tense. This is the reason why doctors are urging Twin Beds—so one sleeper will not disturb the other, or communicate a cold or other ailment. The reason, too, why you should be sure your bed is noise- less. Just the little creak of a wooden bed, or the rattle of an or- dinary metal bed, is enough to put the nerves on edge, even though it may not actually wake you up. ° * ° The truly noiseless Bed is the Sim- mons Metal Bed—built for sleep. Just as the truly sleep-inducing Spring is a Simmons Spring—a fine, resilient spring that invites the body to relax, _ Years ago Simmons Company estab- lished the principle of Beds and Springs built for sleep. It is today the largest maker of fine Metal Beds and Springs in the world. It is a specialist in Twin Beds— a pioneer in that fine modern prin- ciple of a separate bed for each sleeper. . . . Simmons Metal Beds and Springs are the most sought after sleeping equipment in leading stores all over the country. The prices are little if any higher than for ordinary beds. And when you are selecting your Simmons Beds with an eye to their appearance in the room, you will see that Simmons has for the first time established beaah fet and authoritative design in Metal Beds. Sleep is a big subject! Write us for the brochure, “What Leading Medical Journals and Health Magazines Say about Separate Beds and Sound Sleep." Free of charge. SIMMONS COMPANY ATLANTA KENOSHA SAN FRANCISCO (Executive Offices: Kenosha, Wis.) SIMMONS BEDS-Zuitforsteep ELIZABETH MONTREAL comicbooks.com