Life — January 13, 1921 — page 2: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This is **not a cartoon or satire page** — it's a **Michelin Tire Company advertisement** from an early 20th-century issue of Life magazine. The ad promotes Michelin pneumatic (air-filled) automobile tires by highlighting their durability against "common causes of tire destruction" like tread cuts. The visual shows a large tire photograph and a cross-section diagram labeled "No. 1 Tread Cuts." The text emphasizes Michelin's superior construction: extra-thick tread material and cord body that protect against dirt and moisture penetration. The company claims their design minimizes injury when cuts occur. The ad lists Michelin factories in France, England, Italy, and New Jersey, positioning the brand as internationally established and trustworthy to American consumers during the early automobile era.