Life — October 6, 1921 — page 15: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon by Charles Forbell depicts the discovery of a mosquito in what appears to be an upscale residential area ("Haleyon Heights"). The humor derives from the exaggerated panic and chaos this causes among residents—people are shown running, fleeing in cars, and generally in distress. The subtitle "If we could believe the boosters" suggests the satire targets local promotional claims. Real estate "boosters" advertised Haleyon Heights as an ideal community, but this cartoon mocks that marketing by showing how a single mosquito discovery would shatter the image of perfection they promoted. The cartoon ridicules both the boosters' over-promising and residents' overreaction to a minor pest problem.