Life, 1920-08-05 · page 8 of 48
Life — August 5, 1920 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is an advertisement for the Mimeograph machine by A.B. Dick Company. The image shows a classical orator addressing a large crowd in what appears to be a Roman amphitheater, comparing ancient oratory to modern mass communication. The ad argues that the Mimeograph represents a new form of rhetorical power—able to distribute "hot messages" to thousands simultaneously (five thousand copies per hour). It references Demosthenes, the famous ancient Greek orator, suggesting the machine surpasses even classical eloquence through sheer efficiency and reach. The satire is gentle: comparing a mechanical duplicator to ancient rhetoric humorously emphasizes the machine's practical value to politicians, businesses, and educators seeking cost-effective mass communication—a significant concern in early 20th-century America before electronic media.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Oratory such as the ancients never dreamed of—word-power of a new sort! In the politics of today the Mimeograph is performing many remarkable functions. From out of its flying wheels are coming the hot messages of the hour—to conventions, to delegates, helpers, voters. Because it is the speediest and most expedient means of getting important communi- cations into the hands of many, it commands a multitude such as no Demosthenes ever swayed. Within an hour it delivers five thousand well printed copies of any type- written sheet. Diagrams, drawings, etc., are easily duplicated in the same operation. Throughout the world, business and educational institutions are finding it a quick means of cut- ting costs and increasing efficiency. Why not get our booklet “W-8” today? A.B. Dick Company, Chicago—and NewYork. comicbooks.conpar