Life, 1920-09-16 · page 32 of 44
Life — September 16, 1920 — page 32: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece mocks academic certainty by invoking Einstein's revolutionary physics theory. The joke compares Einstein's overturning of classical physics (Galileo, Newton) to a law professor's warning that legislators can repeal any statute a student memorizes. The satire suggests that intellectual "truths"—whether scientific or legal—are only as permanent as those in power allow them to be. It's a clever jab at how institutions present established knowledge as timeless while remaining vulnerable to sudden change from authority figures. The anecdote references ex-Governor Robinson, establishing this as American political commentary circa the 1920s, when Einstein's theories were still novel public knowledge and generated both fascination and skepticism among educated readers.
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Subject to Change Einstein, we are told, has bowled over Galileo, Newton and a host of others with his new theory. If this is so, it puts a lot of our professors in the back-number class. We are reminded, somehow, of what ex- Governor Robinson remarked to a law stu- dent he was examining. Having failed in many questions of law, the student sug- gested that he be tried on the statutes. “My dear young man,” said Mr. Robin- son pleasantly, “I do not doubt that you are up on the statutes, but granted that you have the utmost famil ity with them, what is to prevent the Legislature from repealing all you know?"—Boston Transcript, a Pinch, use ALLEN’S FOOT-EASE | Percy: Does it always rain in this ghastly place? Boatwax: Lor’ bless yer, no, sir. Why, only last summer a London gent went ‘ome with sunstroke—Punch, 6 BELLANS Hot water. ELL-ANS Picture is telling the story. Nothing like it\. on the market, Besides cleaning and refreshing sealp—Marvel Hair Dresser — dresses most contrary hair in. won- Gerful manner, On te. ceipt of 73¢ we will send postpaid anywhere. Money refunded if not pleasing. Barbers take Betore Usteg Marvel After Catag Marvel notice. MARVEL, 548 Fourth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. An Artless Question After much advertising in the household, one lone applicant called relative to the po- sition of general houseworker. There was a lengthy interview—most of the question- ing being done by Mandy, a dusky daughter of the Sunny South, Finally negotiations were completed and Mandy agreed to start work at nine o'clock the following morning. The family was jubilant, but at nine no Mandy arrived. Ten o'clock came, but still no Mandy. At eleven the door bell rang, and there stood the new incumbent, with her boxes and bags. She beamed on her new mistress and explained: “Ah do hope you folks will all "scuse mah lateness, but jest. as Ah wuz a-coming out mah teacher called to give me mah music lesson. Ah done forgot to ask last night if you-all was fond of the clarinet.” —New York Evening Sun, Absurdities in Attire “T must say,” remarked the derisive per- son, “that a man looks ludicrous in the clothes his wife goes out and buys for him.” “ Maybe,” replied Mr. Growcher, “ but not any more ludicrous, in my opinion, than his wife looks in the clothes she goes out and buys for herself."—Washington Star. EGYPTIAN Nhe Utmost in Qigarettes Plain End or Cork Tp | People of culture and | refinement invariably PREFER ‘Deities ILLUSTRATED ‘Winfield Scott Hall, M.D., Ph.D. What every young man and Every young woman should koow What every young busband and Fy young wife should Keow What ew i koow Glove Fashion says: For Street occasions Men wear Hays Buckskin Gloves nt Journey and a safe return most sincerely expressed with § New Time Saving Methods in Business They result from the purchase of an UNDERWOOD BOOKKEEPING MACHINE It will demonstrate how your office can cut down its overhead. UNDERWOOD TYPEWRITER CO., INC. Underwood Building, New York City Application Izzy: They have been married about five years. Dizzy: Did she make him a good wife’ Izzy: No, but she made him a good bet band —Williams Purple Cow. comicbooks.