Life — September 16, 1920 — page 2: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This is primarily a **Michelin tire advertisement**, not political satire. The page features the famous Michelin Man mascot (Bibendum) — the rotund character made of stacked tire rings — alongside a mechanic examining a tire. The ad's tagline "Friends for Life" emphasizes durability and reliability. The accompanying text highlights Michelin Universal Cords' wear-resistance, rubber coating, and "remarkable mileage" as selling points for "real economy and motoring satisfaction." The Michelin Man was already an established corporate mascot by this 1925 Life magazine appearance. The illustration uses the character's distinctive puffy appearance to visually reinforce the product's resilience and strength — suggesting tires that last as long as this cheerful, enduring figure.