Life — July 1, 1920 — page 55: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is primarily a **product advertisement** for Hires root beer, not satire or political commentary. The page depicts a delivery man bringing a case of bottled Hires to a housewife, illustrating convenient home consumption. The advertisement's central argument addresses consumer concerns about **counterfeit beverages**—a real problem in early 20th-century America when regulation was minimal. The text warns buyers to specifically request "Hires" by name to avoid harmful imitations. It emphasizes Hires' authenticity: made from "pure healthful juices of roots, barks, herbs, berries and pure cane sugar," not artificial ingredients. The appeal to a female householder reflects marketing strategies of the era, positioning the product as safe and wholesome for family consumption. The bottle shown on the right serves as product identification. This is straightforward advertising rather than satirical content—Life magazine included advertisements alongside its editorial cartoons and humor pieces.