Life, 1921-07-14 · page 4 of 34
Life — July 14, 1921 — page 4: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **product advertisement**, not political satire. The American Chain Company promotes Weed Tire Chains, which were essential winter safety equipment for early automobiles. The cartoon depicts a caricatured driver (exaggerated facial features typical of early 20th-century advertising art) departing in his car from a house. The headline "Don't Leave Them Behind" warns drivers not to leave tire chains in the garage. The ad's appeal targets both **prudence and intelligence**—suggesting responsible drivers carry chains. The text emphasizes chains prevent dangerous skidding on wet, icy roads, framing the product as a safety necessity rather than luxury. The multiple sales offices listed indicate this was a major manufacturer of the era. The message reflects genuine automotive safety concerns before modern tire technology existed.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Don’t Leave Them Behind Brains and Chains must be used for the safe operation of automobiles. RACTICALLY every car in operation has Weed Tire Chains —in the garage. Even the novice knows there are times when he cannot drive safely without them. The trouble Weed comes in making drivers think to always carry them in their cars and think to put them on the tires “at the first drop of rain.” . Tire Give your Weed Tire Chains a chance to perform their mission. h ° Don’t leave them in the garage. Carry them with you and put C. dains them on the tires before the elements whip the streets into black : deadly skidways. on your tires reflect your prudence Only a moment of your time and their steel forged protection and intelligence. will be securely chaining your car to safety. AMERICAN CHAIN Company, INCORPORATED BRIDGEPORT \@/ CONNECTICUT In Canada: Dominion Chain Company, Limited, Niagara Falls, Ontario Largest Chain Manufacturers in the World The Complete Chain Line—All Types, All Sizes, All Finishes—From Plumbers’ Safety Chain to Ships’ Anchor Chain GENERAL SALES OFFICE: Grand Central Terminal, New York City DISTRICT SALES OFFICES: Boston Chicago Philadelphia Pittsburg Portland, Ore. San Francisco UEOOUODONUOOOODG! AUEEDUREROGOOGHOQGUSROROUDERDRNNUOUOOOUOGOUQ0000N0EORQOROGOS0S000000008 2 comicbooks.com