Life — February 12, 1925 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a **Life magazine cover** advertising a "$1000.00 Prize Contest" for the "Commuters' Number" issue. The illustration depicts a domestic scene with satirical intent: a man in formal attire is drinking coffee at breakfast while a woman (presumably his wife) stands behind him, appearing to adjust his clothing or collar. The caption "The 8:15—or Bust!" references the pressure commuters face to catch their morning train. The satire likely mocks the rushed morning routine of suburban commuters and the domestic dynamics surrounding their departure—suggesting wives managing their husbands' punctuality and appearance before work. The contest element invited readers to submit entries related to commuter life themes. The image exemplifies 1920s satirical humor about modern domesticity and work culture.