Life, 1920-08-26 · page 29 of 36
Life — August 26, 1920 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **product advertisement**, not political satire. The page promotes the Liberty Lens, an automobile headlight lens manufactured by Macbeth-Evans Glass Company. The ad uses patriotic imagery—the Statue of Liberty appears prominently—to associate the product with American leadership and superiority. The text claims the Liberty Lens is "the choice of leadership" and is "standard equipment on more cars than any other lens," establishing market dominance through appeals to quality and authority rather than humor. The technical description explains the lens's practical function: converting dangerous glare into safe illumination through a system of prisms that spread light to roadsides while keeping rays low on the road ahead (42 inches high, 75 feet ahead). Pricing varies by region, suggesting this is a national campaign. The small illustration at bottom right depicts a figure, likely representing the brand's longevity ("half a century"), emphasizing reliability and tradition. This represents early 20th-century automotive advertising strategy: combining patriotic symbolism with technical credibility claims.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
eaihe Laderty Lens. The Light of Leadership HE Liberty Lens is the choice of leadership. The leading cars of America have adopted it. It is already standard equipment on more cars than any other lens! The Liberty is likewise the product of lead- ership. For half a century its makers’ products have been chosen wherever the highest effi- ciency in light control has been demanded. The same skill and experience have finally produced this splendidly efficient lens. Light where needed is the principle of the Liberty Lens. Danger- ous glare is converted into protective illumina- tion. Six perpendicular prisms on the face of the lens spread the rays wide to light the road- sides. Seven transverse prisms in the rear bend the rays down on the road under a line 42 inches high, 75 feet ahead. The Liberty Lens is legal everywhere. MACBETH- EVANS GLASS COMPANY, Pittsbargh Brawch Offices tm: Botton: Chicago: New York: Philadelphia: Putsdurgh; San Prane chute: 120 Book Building, Detroit Trice per pair : Denver and West... 325 Canada... - + 4.00 Winnipee and West . . 4.25 Standard Equipment on TRUCKS ervice Motor Try For half a century this trade-mark has been the sign of admitted superiority. comicbooks.com