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

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This page is **primarily an advertisement** for Michelin Universal Cord tires, not political satire. The central image depicts the Michelin Man (Bibendum), the company's mascot—a rotund, segmented character made of tire treads. The advertisement emphasizes three product improvements: a new tread compound for durability, improved tread design to prevent skidding, and an oversized body resisting blow-outs. The copy positions these as innovations establishing "a new standard for supreme durability." The small vehicles illustrated at the bottom represent the tire's versatility across different transportation types. This appears in *Life* magazine's paid advertising section rather than editorial content, making it a commercial message rather than commentary or satire.