Life, 1926-04-01 · page 33 of 46
Life — April 1, 1926 — page 33: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **Grebe Synchrophase radio advertisement** with satirical messaging, not a political cartoon. The satire targets foolish radio buyers who choose sets based on *appearance* rather than technical quality—calling them candidates for the "Royal Order of the Cap and Bells" (a traditional symbol of jesters/fools). The copy mocks consumers who fall for attractive exterior design while ignoring superior internal engineering. The small cartoon in the margin depicts a wise man rejecting folly, reinforcing this message: smart buyers should see "past the beautiful exterior...to the real virtue within." The ad emphasizes Grebe's exclusive technical features (Colortone, Binocular Coils, Low-Wave circuits) as proof of genuine superiority. This reflects 1920s radio marketing, when competing manufacturers heavily advertised technical specifications to distinguish products in an emerging consumer electronics market. The satire is commercial rather than political—aimed at competing radio brands rather than social commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
It iswritten “When folly passes by, reason draws back.” ‘The wise buyer sees past the beautiful exterior of the Synchrophasetothe real virtue within. CBee He ‘- AE}OME purchasers of radio sets seem candidates for 3 | the *‘Royal Order of the Cap and Bells.” They are Sj With so many good sets to be had, their choice is governed by outside appearance rather than inward worth. The appearance of the Grebe Synchrophase is especially pleasing, but we emphasize rather its interior construction and those exclusive Grebe deve!opments which make possible the long continuance of its superior reception: yiz, the''Color- tone”’ which gives control over voice and music independent of the loud speaker’s characteristics; the Binocular Coils which enable you to get the station wanted and keep out the others; the Low-Wave Extension Circuits, S-L-F Condensers and other exclusive features responsible for the Grebe’s out- standing performance. Ask your dealer to explain and demonstrate these and other Grebe features. A. H. Grebe & Co., Inc., 109 West 57th Street, New) York Factory: Richmond Hill, N.Y. Western Branch: 443 So. San Pedro St., Los Angeles, Cal. JN G@EBE NCHIROPEAS §, PADE MagK REG US PAT OFF ome Kadio Buyers ‘i Ist is Any Day in the Year This company owns and operates stations — | WAHG and WBOQ. All Grebe appa: ratus is covered by aranted and pending Grebe | f | Binagular Cou ~y : 2) ae oe 8 PaO Oyo) J g e | ant ‘ WA SPAY, - —_} _ Low-Wave Grebe “‘Colartone’* (TBS) Extension Circuits Flexible Unit Control mR patents comicbooks.com