Life, 1925-10-22 · page 42 of 74
Life — October 22, 1925 — page 42: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a cartoon or satire**, but rather a **product advertisement** for Phoenix brand silk socks (style #284, retailing at 75 cents per pair). The page uses educational diagrams and detailed text to highlight technical features: reinforced weaving at the toe (where wear is heaviest), extra banding at the heel, and a improved sole with no loose threads. The copywriting employs mild wordplay ("Well heeled!" "sole of honor") typical of early 20th-century advertising, positioning the product as premium ("a sock of distinction"). The opening line about a man who "brings his foot down hard" is simply an appeal to active, working men. This appears to be from *Life* magazine's advertising section, showcasing hosiery innovation. There is no political or satirical content—it's straightforward commercial messaging emphasizing durability and comfort for "tired pavement-pounding feet."
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
HE MAN who brings his foot down hard is quick to appreciate this remarkable Phoenix silk sock, the famed number 284, 3 which now retails for 75 cents a 4 pair. 4 super-sock. And here’s why: Stout and fine rein- forcing strands are skillfully ‘ woven across the top of the toe, where the § stub and the pound wt are hardest. hole eliminator—an invisible A toe 4 strengthening that has added | miles of additional service to this most popular of men’s silk socks. oF HOS TERY iH The extra band that has been woven across the heel, atthe very place where the rub is most severe, especially when low shoes are worn, can hardly be seen. Yet the strength of the texture at this vital point is greatly increased. Well heeled! Extra mileage foot.| And now Phoenix master-weavers have achieved a triumph. A sturdier sole and one which has no loose threads inside to catch and ravel! It means smoother and more comfortable support for tired pavement-pounding feet. Extra stability and better looks have been added by this remark- able improvement. It is “the sole of honor,” on a sock of distinction. PHOENIX HOSIERY comicbooks.com