Life — July 22, 1920 — page 5: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This page is primarily **advertising, not satire or political commentary**. It's a Goodrich tire advertisement for "Silvertown Cord Tires," described as "America's First Cord Tire." The ad uses the phrase "Best in the Long Run" (shown on a banner in the woodcut-style illustration) as both a product endorsement and a pun about tire durability for automobiles. The image depicts a vintage car and figures on a rural road, emphasizing the tire's reliability for extended driving. The ad claims Silvertown "has added a new word to the language of motoring," positioning the brand name itself as synonymous with quality service. The specification details at the bottom—"8000 Miles" for cord tires versus "6000 Miles" for fabric tires—highlight competitive advantage. This reflects 1920s automotive advertising strategy: establishing brand prestige and superior performance metrics.