Life, 1922-06-29 · page 34 of 35
Life — June 29, 1922 — page 34: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This single-panel cartoon satirizes modern dental technology by depicting a dentist demonstrating an innovative tooth extraction method to an audience. The humor lies in the ironic contrast: despite touting this as a marvel of modern invention, the dentist himself has "lost his nerve during the demonstration"—suggesting the procedure is either gruesome, painful, or otherwise alarming to witness. The cartoon reflects early 20th-century American skepticism toward progress and new inventions, even as they were celebrated. While ads on the page promote hotels, cigarette holders, and musical instruments as "modern methods," this cartoon undercuts such optimism by showing that newfangled devices don't necessarily improve human comfort or confidence. The joke satirizes both inventors' blind faith in technology and the public's anxiety about submitting to novel medical procedures.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Perfectly Centered THE HOLLENDEN HOTEL is eight hundred and thirty-five feet and two inches from the new Cleveland six million dollar Pub- lic Auditorium — in sight, and nearer than any other hotel. The new Federal Reserve Bank Building is directly across the street. All the important Cleve- land Banks and Brokerage’ houses are within two blocks. The best stores, theatres and office build- ings are near, and all rail and lake terminals are easily and conveni- ently reached. THE HOLLENDEN HOTEL CO. CLEVELAND Our Wonderful Age of Invention The originator of a modern method of tooth extraction loses his nerve during the demonstration. . v. -S. Townsend, Philadelphia,... $20.00 ‘ sty LIFE’S Fresh Air Fund tu Davis, Brooklyn, NW : Particularity vans, ‘Livingston, Mon ; “She's z 1S “eapuer.” (Continued from page 31) Marmaduke Maxwell, Ecola, Or i She's a Lucy Stone Leaguer a A. J. Everest, Monrdvia, Cal “What's that? Shae tees Fi0: Willis Bows Jamestown, ; “Doesn't believe in taking her s D. Pell, N.Y. Cit X Anonymous, “Montreal,” Can.. “ ig 2” Uorge We. Reityy 3rd, Hoeriaburg: Paul C, Ivancich, Austin, Tex. : husband's name. ' P ee Mrs. Barton T. Bean $on_Franciaco i “Indeed! Whose hushand’s name . Helen Thompson, West Poae. . x does she believe in taking?” irs. L. Sherwood, Beatrice Shore, N. Y. Memory Mrs, Herman Fuhrman, Omaha, . Mass x eg i Harr . . Schade, Meadville, P. x L. Bower, the “Music Pals of the Nation” easily and quickly enabic you te Mes Rote A,, Aberdeen, Ses . Ta memory of «1205 play the music of the day. Delight your fends, increase your “In memory of Dr. C. W. Badeau". 50. Ularty, income and pleasure by: playing for social affairs, cnc Wm. L. Brown, Pasadena, Cal....: x entertainments, etc. Organize a Gibson Orchestra: we help In jmemory of “w. D. as 2 . oes cemeion se Seal paymene: ten $5.00 8 90 riend, Northampton, Mass. . sf for 3 Giteon; brings you wholesome year~'roued queeraaion “In memory,” Springheld, Mass. ¥ profi. Gibsons are the recognized world standard, Guaranteed South Orange, J. . M. Hendee; Suffield, Conn Miss Gertrude B. Whittemore, N. gatuck, Conn, James Norris, Chicago, Mrs. C. M. de Heredia, N Wilson, Bridgeport, Mrs. James ‘0. Cole, Peru, In A Friend ... Alice B. Scudder, Yakima, Wash. “Three Deposits of a iser Storl San Antonio, Texas. The Hygienic Holder Contribution of Classes 6 & 7 of for those who enjoy cigarette smoking Paul's Church School, Englewood, ‘The only hygienic cigarette holder en- dorsed by physicians, With NO-NIC, you Robert £; Darlin , Simabury, Conn. get only the joys out of smoking. No Nigoline, H. B. Hod, ‘Hollt z N So dust particles. No ugly stained teeth ni rs. H. B. Hodges, Hollis, fingers. No smokers throat It’s light and grace- Dr. Val A, Stoltze,’ Brooklyn, N.Y. ful, With its lipless grip, it’s a boon to ladies Gonville S. Foss, North Andover, who indulge, as well to gentlemen who care. The “yeivain rf .” Sercler's bor hhiiadelpi pner, i Send $1.00 and 4 rs Bringhan “Lawrense FOR_g MEN G BRAINS to you postpald. Nixon, N.Y. Ci 5.00 1GAR: Wayne A. McDaniel, Gary, In E.M.SMITH,Room427, 2Brosdway,N.Y “MADE AT aU WEST- comicbooks.com