Life, 1920-06-24 · page 32 of 41
Life — June 24, 1920 — page 32: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page mixes satirical commentary with period advertising. The main cartoon "Who Goes First?" satirizes early 20th-century etiquette debates about revolving doors—specifically whether men or women should enter first. The humor targets the absurdity of having two competing "schools of opinion" on such a trivial matter, with the text noting "the bitterest rivalry prevails between the two schools," mocking how seriously people took these social conventions. Supporting content includes humorous anecdotes (like Kipling complaining about hotel conditions, or a woman worried about punch-bowl duty) that gently mock human foibles. The advertisements—Egyptian Deities cigarettes, Bayer Aspirin, and optometry services—reflect typical 1920s-era marketing, with cigarettes still openly advertised as products of "culture and refinement." The "First Eyeglass" section provides historical trivia about Nero, likely included to add intellectual veneer to the optometry ad.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Who Goes First ? tte of the revolving door has yet to be standardized. At present there are two schools of opinion on the subject. One holds that when a man and a woman approach a revolving door it is the man's place to go first, pushing the door slowly so as to allow his partner to follow in the next compartment without any effort on her part. The other contends that ladies first. still holds sway. It is good manners, these theorists say, for the man to step aside, let the woman start the door revolving, and then jump into the compartment behind her In this way, it is contended, the man may assume control of the door and guide it until the woman ahead of him is safely out The bitterest rivalry prevails between the two schools.—. York E ng Post. The First Eyeglass Nero, Emperor of the Romans, was the first man, so far as history relates, who made use of an eyeglass. He was near-sighted, so, when viewing the gladiators in the arena, he magni- fied the fighters by using a concave Emerald as an optic aid. Since Nero's time, optical glass, far more efficient than the costly Emerald, has been put within reach of all peoples. Look for the Emblem, as printed below, on the door of your Optometrist—and have him tell you if YOUR Vision is normal. Also, write us for the The Emblem of Su- little “Conservation of pectorpenen Sey: Sight” booklet. It’s where you obtain gratis your glasses. Associated Optometrists of America, Inc., Home Office,209 ' E. Broad St. Richmond, Virginia EGYPTIAN e Utmost in Q, Plain End or Cork Yp People of culture and refinement invariably PREFER ‘Deities to any other Cigarette Makers of the Highest Grade Tarkish and Epon Cigarotees in the Wordd Free and Easy There was a young lady of Tottenham Whose manners—well, she'd quite forgotten ‘em. She suddenly took off— For fear they'd be shook off— Her pince-nez, because she was hot in “em —Sketch. Put in the Bill When in Canada last, Mr. Kipling was so dissatisfied with the hotel accommodations that he gave the landlord a severe call down. Said he: “Of all the hotels under the shining sun, I have never been in one that for unmitigated, all-round, unendurable discomfort could equal yours.” After the landlord had withdrawn in great indignation, Kipling asked for his bill, an he discovered that the 1 impudence—three dollars —Boston Transcript. Conclusive Evidence William and Henry, chauffeurs, were dis cussing the ill luck of a fellow-chauffeur, Clarence, who had the day before been fined for taking out his employer's car without permission “But how did the boss know Clarence had taken the car out?” asked Henry “Why,” explained William, “ Clarence ran over him."—Harper's. The Necessary Worrer “Didn't you use to belong to a Don't Worry Club years ago? “Yes,” replied the patient yet firm wom- an. “IL had to resign. Nobody worried about who was going to fix up the sand- wiches and salad and freeze the ice cream, but me. So I decided I was just a born worrier and was out of my class.” —Weshington Star. Awotiter dangerous combination is a fool and his typewriter-—Osborne’ Farmer. A SUGGESTION FOR HORSE OWNERS It will pay owner to . Nike ot years the eg reat differ gal Tost pce pene There’ ence in horse nails. It's The Capewell Horse Nail Co., Hartford, Coan. Name ‘‘Bayer’’ identifies genuine Aspirin introduced to physicians in | 1900. Insist on unbroken packages BAVER-TABLETS ASPIRIN Aspirin Is the trade mark of Bayer ¥: Monosceticacidester of Salicy comicbooks.com