Life, 1921-10-06 · page 29 of 33
Life — October 6, 1921 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page combines short humorous anecdotes with advertising. The left column features satirical jokes about modern life, children, and social behavior—typical of Life magazine's satirical format. **The humor targets:** - Consumer culture ("For the Modern Child"): A girl asks for a doll that cries when *not* dressed up, satirizing materialistic children and fashion obsession. - Scottish stereotypes: Barbers work silently, thinking about tips. - Child logic: A girl says cows are "unmilked," mocking innocent misunderstandings. - Technology: A radio-controlled car that "lies like a chauffeur"—joking about automobiles and dishonest drivers. - Work culture: Bosses claiming employees have had five months of vacation. **The advertisements** (right side and bottom) feature Tiffany & Co., Pears Soap, and Questar cigars—luxury goods targeting affluent readers. The page is primarily **humorous commentary** on early-20th-century consumer society, gender roles, and technological change, wrapped in brief jokes attributed to international publications.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
For the Modern Child Mother had promised little Clara a doll, and Clara was allowed to accom- pany her to purchase one. They en- tered the store where a large assort- ment awaited them. “This doll,” said the saleswoman, “can say ‘mama’ and ‘papa,’ this one here can shut its eyes, and this one can say ‘Oh!’ when you put a new dress on it.” “Have you one that cries when you don’t put a new dress on it?” asked lit- tle Clara. —Klods-Hans (Copenhagen). Silent Adoration What surprises me most about Scot- land (writes a visitor) is not the ab- sence of haggis and the kilt, or the nee of finely metalled roads, but ilence of the barbers’ shops. Art- ist and client say nothing more to each other than the few words necessary for te success of the operation in hand. Whe I remarked on this phenomenon to a much-traveled Scot, “Aye,” he commented, “they're both thinking hard about the tip.” —London Morning Post. Child Logic Little Ethel had had a fortnight in the country for the first time in her life. “Did you see them milk the cow, turn. “No, mamma,” was the reply, “but I saw them unmilk her.” —Sphere (London). Auto-Autonomy An American inventor has produced a radio-controlled motor-car that steers itseli and sounds its own horn at pedes- trian He is believed to be experi- menting with an attachment that will permit it to appear in a_police-court and lie like a chauffeur—Punch. Good Proposition Dao: Tommy, if you'll saw some woot I'll tell you what I'll do. Bit: What's that, Dad? Dav: I'll let you have the sawdust to play circus with. —Vancouver Province. When Times Are Dull Members of the office staff were dis- cussing the vacation subject when the boss came in. _ “Vacation!” he exclaimed. “What is it you've been having for the last five mont!is?”—Commerce and Finance. HusBanp (to seasick wife): What yer vrumblin’ abart? Yer ain’t been Seasick for four years! Bystander (London.) Ethel?” asked her mamma on her re- | TIFFANY & CO. PEARLS JEWELRY SILVERWARE TRADITIONAL QUALITY ALL MAIL INQUIRIES RECEIVE PROMPT AND INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION FIFTH AVENUE & 37! STREET New YORK pee ” Ifs Guse and Gire ickly cured. Send 10 its for 288 BS Dunblane a des i Stuttering years, BENJAMIN N. BOG! aoscieeer Belidiag. 1147 N. ris ch lane comicbooks.com