Life, 1920-12-30 · page 2 of 39
Life — December 30, 1920 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **commercial advertisement**, not political satire. It promotes Michelin tires for small cars, featuring the iconic Michelin Man (Bibendum) — the rotund, mascot character made of stacked tire rings. The ad argues that small cars require economical tire selection, and Michelin tires offer superior value: moderately priced initially but long-lasting, offsetting higher upfront costs for competitors. The circular vignette shows a winter driving scene with the Michelin Man presenting the tire as ideal for small vehicles. The advertisement targets cost-conscious automobile owners during the early automotive era, emphasizing reliability and economy — key selling points as automobile ownership expanded to middle-class consumers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Pubuished Weekly by Lite ebtihing Comouny at 17 West ist Street, New York. N Anaual Subscription, Five Dollars. Vol. 76. No, 1991. December 30, 1929, CHARLES DANA Ginsox The economical tire for small cars Tue popularity of the small car is based on a moderate first-cost plus economy of upkeep. As for upkeep, this is vitally affected by tire expense, for tires poorly selected may cost as much, in the end, as the car itself. Michelin Tires make small cars truly economical, for Michelins are moderate in first cost and they last longer. These superior tires for small cars are built in the same factory, of the same quality materials, by the same skilled workmen as large size Michelins. Just give them a trial—that is all we ask, MICHELIN TIRE CO., Milltown, NEW JERSEY Other factories in Clermont-Ferrand, France; London, England, and Turin, Italy. Dealers Everywhere. comicbooks.com