Life, 1922-10-26 · page 2 of 36
Life — October 26, 1922 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a political cartoon or satire**, but rather a **straightforward product advertisement** for Michelin Ring-Shaped Tubes (inner tubes for tires). The page features the Michelin Man mascot (the rotund, bandage-wrapped figure on the right) demonstrating the product. The central image shows cross-sections of composite tire tubes, illustrating their construction from Michelin tubes bonded with other materials. The advertisement's argument is economic: motorists waste money replacing inner tubes with every tire casing failure. Michelin Ring-Shaped Tubes last longer, outliving multiple casings, thus saving "millions of dollars each year." The text emphasizes durability and reliability compared to inferior competitors. This represents early 20th-century consumer advertising, using the famous Michelin Man character to promote tire durability and value.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
‘the act of March 3d, Second Class Matter at FE, in the United 3 eekly by Life Publis! \dison Avenue, New York ription, Fiv E Copyrighi "Printed in New Yor! OOlce Department, Can and and the British Escu of the tubes here shown ‘was made by cement- ing together half.a Michelin Tube and half a tube of some other well known make. The composite tubes were then run to destruction. The Michelin sections retained their li fe and strength when all the other sections had blown out. Millions of Dollars Can Be Saved Each Year In This Way Me motorists are surprised when they stop to figure how much money can be saved by buying inner tubes more carefully. It isa common practice to discard the inner tube with every casing that wears out. But this is not at all necessary if Michelin Ring- Shaped Tubes are used. They outlast a number of casings. And more important still is the saving which Michelin Tubes effect in tire bills. It is the general belief that blow-outs are caused by the tire giving way and allowing the tube to blow through the break. But often the tube gives way first. When this happens the tube is likely to blow its way through the tire if the latter has been weak- ened in service. And at all events you are certain to run some yards on a totally de- flated tire and thus injure it seriously. Will the tubes you use shorten the life of your tires in this way? Just examine them after they have gone five or ten thousand miles. Inferior tubes will feel hard and lifeless. But Michelin Tubes will have their original toughness and velvety softness. Michelin Tubes will not give way. Nor will they develop slow leaks that will injure the tire because of under-inflation. For economy in tube and tire bills use Michelin Ring-Shaped Tubes. TO USERS OF DISC WHEELS: Michelin Ring-Shaped Tubes can now be had with angle-valves, making inflation easy from the outside of the wheel MICHELIN TIRE CO., Milltown, N. J. Branches in 30 Cities. Dealers Everywhere fem Manager comicbooks.com