Life — September 21, 1922 — page 27: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a **full-page advertisement**, not political satire or a cartoon. It promotes Eastman Kodak's "Autographic" camera line to *Life* magazine readers. The photograph shows a touring car with passengers stopped roadside, with children nearby—depicting leisure travel and family activities. The ad's appeal is straightforward: Kodak cameras allow ordinary people to document their experiences automatically and preserve memories permanently for home viewing. The phrase "autographic record" refers to Kodak's patented technology allowing users to write dates and notes directly onto film. The messaging targets middle-class Americans' growing leisure culture and travel habits in the early 20th century, positioning photography as essential for preserving family moments. The $6.50 price point ($230+ in modern currency) indicates this was marketed to relatively affluent consumers.