Life, 1920-09-09 · page 8 of 44
Life — September 9, 1920 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **full-page advertisement** for Weed Tire Chains, not satirical content. The ad argues that automobile tire chains are essential safety equipment to prevent skidding accidents on icy or wet roads. The image shows a car viewed from underneath, displaying the tire chains in action. The advertisement's argument is **somewhat accusatory toward negligent drivers**: it frames the choice *not* to use tire chains as unfair to pedestrians and other motorists who could be harmed by skidding. The text suggests courts should not excuse skidding as "unavoidable" when chains are affordable and readily available. The tone is moralistic rather than humorous—appealing to driver responsibility and public safety rather than satirizing anything. This reflects early automotive-era concerns about accident prevention and product promotion through guilt and civic duty.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Dependable Protection for Pedestrians and Car Owners Weed Tire Chains dt seems unfair that a few careless owners and drivers who do not use Weed Tire Chains should imperil pedestrians and others who use this reasonable precaution to prevent skidding accidents. When an automobile skids on a crowded thor- oughfare it is more of .a danger to other vehicles and persons than to itself and its occupants. There is nothing so maddening or so nerve racking as to have another motorist skid into you imperiling the lives of your passengers and smashing your car, especially when you know it could have been prevented by the use of Weed Tire Chains. Some of the larger cities are greatly agitated over the skidding menace and committees have been formed to draft stringent ordinances for the protection of pedestrians and road users. It is high time that careful, sane motorists adopt some means to protect themselves and pedestrians and prevent the awful loss of life and property caused by skidding. The courts should not regard skidding as an unavoidable accident when Weed Tire Chains, the proven device for preventing it, are so easily available and at so reasonable a price. See that you do not lay yourself open to severe criticism. Always put on your Weed Tire Chains when the roads are slippery and uncertain. American Chain Company, Incorporated BRIDGEPORT CONNECTICUT In Canada: Dominion Chain Company, Limited, Niagara Falls, Ontario Largest Chain Manufacturers in the World f The Complete Chain Line—All Types, Alll Sizes, All Finishes—From Plumbers’ Safety Chain to Ships’ Anchor Chain . GENERAL SALES OFFICE: Grand Central Terminal, New York City DISTRICT SALES OFFICES : Boston Philadelphia Pittsburg Portland, Ore. Chicago San Francisco comicbooks.com}