Life, 1923-11-08 · page 4 of 36
Life — November 8, 1923 — page 4: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **Mimeograph machine advertisement** dressed as editorial content. The illustration shows two figures in period dress examining what appears to be a printing device, framed ornamentally at the top of the page. The advertisement argues that businesses should abandon "antiquated" methods (represented by the barefoot "ancients") and adopt the Mimeograph for efficient, cost-effective document reproduction. It emphasizes speed—claiming the device can produce 5,000 copies hourly—and positions the Mimeograph as essential for modern business operations like distributing forms, bulletins, and organizational materials. The "satire" is gentle: the ad sarcastically compares old methods to ancient barefoot labor, positioning the Mimeograph as progress. This reflects early 20th-century business culture promoting office modernization. The A.B. Dick Company, Chicago, manufactured Mimeographs.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
You wouldn’t walk barefooted to your daily work, as the ancients did. There is a much better way Then why cling to antiquated and outworn methods in your business? They are slow, inefficient and expensive—wastefully expensive these days. The big, throbbing, vital indus- tries of America are quick to profit by the tremendous saving power of the improved Mimeo- graph. In this day of speedy transporta- tion, the Mimeograph is the most rapid means of transporting hu- man thought to the thousands. Great speed! Five thousand beautifully printed copies of a letter, bulletin, in- struction sheet, form, design or cartoon is its regular hourly grist—at a cost that is almost * negligible. As a means of getting new busi- ness, of developing that already in hand, of keeping in touch with the trade and the organization, of printing the office and factory forms, of stimulating new activi- ties that would be impractical without its help, the Mimeograph is a mighty servant. Private printing! In many places it is saving more than its initial cost every month. We want to make its many advantages to you clear and convincing. Therefore we want to send you booklet “W-11” tight now. To the A. B. Dick Company, Chicago, send your Tequest today. , comicbooks.com