Life — February 19, 1920 — page 2: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Michelin Double Cords Advertisement This is a **Michelin tire company advertisement**, not political satire. The page appears from *Life* magazine (dated Feb. 19, 1920, based on the header). The cartoon shows two figures shaking hands: a man in a checkered cap (likely representing a motorist or driver) greeting a cheerful, anthropomorphic tire character. This personification was common in early automotive advertising. The ad promotes Michelin's "Double Cords" tire technology—featuring double layers of cords between rubber cushions for improved durability and puncture resistance. The handshake symbolizes the beneficial relationship between driver and product. The tone is lighthearted and friendly, typical of 1920s consumer advertising using cartoon mascots to make technical products seem approachable and trustworthy to average car owners.