Life, 1925-06-25 · page 7 of 37
Life — June 25, 1925 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes the unintended consequences of new inventions through two comic scenarios: **Top cartoon**: Mr. Addis, who invented the toothbrush in 1780, demonstrates it to his wife. The joke centers on her absurd "improvements"—suggesting a hole to hang it by, different handle colors, and even applying it like a hairbrush or soap. The satire mocks how inventors' simple ideas spawn ridiculous elaborations and over-engineering by others. **Bottom cartoon**: Shows boxing spectators debating whether a fighter is vegetarian based on his cauliflower ear. This satirizes people's tendency to draw silly conclusions from superficial details. Both sketches humorously critique human nature: our impulse to "improve" functional inventions unnecessarily, and our habit of making unfounded assumptions. The tone is lighthearted domestic comedy rather than serious social commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Perils of Invention (“Wni. Addis made the first toothbrush in 1780 and umably he was the first to use it.”"—From an ad- sement in “Punch.”) Scene I Me ADDIS: Look what I've got. Mrs. Appts: What is it? Mr. Appts: A toothbrush. Mrs. Appts: What's it for? Mr. Appis: Why, to brush one’s teeth with. Mrs, Appts: I never heard of such a thing. Mr. Anois: Of course you didn’t. I just invented it. Mrs. Appis: Huh, you must have a lot of time on your hands. Mr. Appts: Now, sce here, Helen, don’t you know a clean tooth—no, that’s an anachronism, The danger line is—no, that’s another. Four out of five—hang it, I mean, protect the enam—oh, bother ! Mrs. Apois: Be your age, dearic, be your age. Mr. Appts: Well, anyhow, it works like this—see? (He moves the brush vaguely in front of his face.) Mrs. Appis: No; that's not right. I sort of feel you shouldn't do it back and forth, but up and down, sort of. Mr. Appis: Say, who invented this, you or 1? Mrs. Appis: Well, you have to expect improvements, Mr. Appis: I dare say. What, for instance? Mrs. Appis: Oh—oh—well, you might have a hole in the handle to hang it up by. And the handle itself might be in different colors. And are you sure the shape's right? Mr. Appts: Of course it's right. Mrs. Appts: Well, the shape’s very important. And what are you going to put on it? Mr. Appis: Put on it? Mrs. Anois: Certainly. It isn’t a hairbrush, you know. Mr. Apis: That's so. (//e thinks for a@ moment.) Soap! Mrs. Appis: Ugh! That settles it. I think you're a fool, Bill Addis. Scexe W—Early next morning DEVICE ENABLING WIVES TO TELL IF HUBBY WALKED THE PROPER DISTANCE WITH JUNIOR Mr. Appts (pardonably bitter); So's your old man! Mr. Appts: Well, I guess I'll have a go at the old tooth- brush. Thinking it over, I should say cold, fresh water was the best thing to put on in this day and age of 7180. Mrs. Appts (sleepily) : I wish you'd put on the coffee, Bill. Mr. Appis (from the bathroom): Well, we're off! (Appropriate tooth- brush noises of “ whoosh, growgle, C, ete.) WOW! Oddsbud! Zounds! A pox! Other Eighteenth Century oaths! Mrs. Anois (thoroughly awake): What? What is it? Mr. Appts: My toothbrush! What the devil have you been doing with my toothbrush ? Mrs, Appis: That brush you had yesterday? That's a nice little brush, Bill. I used it to clean the silver! Curtain AT THE FIGHT Henry William Hanemann. Woman Spectator: AND 1S HE A VEGETARIAN? Her Escort: WHAT MAKES YOU THINK SO? 'ONFESSION is good for the soul, Toman Spectator: You SAY HE HAS A CAULIFLOWER EAR, but it is bad for the reputation. whoosh, comicbooks.com