Life, 1926-04-29 · page 28 of 42
Life — April 29, 1926 — page 28: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes the **aggressive, pseudo-scientific sales tactics** of 1920s salesmen—specifically applied to toothbrushes as an absurd parallel to automobiles. The salesman uses grandiose language ("V-type bristles vulcanized in a triple-lock base," "micrometrical accuracy") to sell what is fundamentally a simple product, mimicking how car dealers marketed new models with jargon-heavy features. The humor targets **consumerism and advertising excess** of the era. A customer's wife appears concerned about propriety (refusing to brush teeth in pajamas, worried about the color matching the bathrobe), reflecting anxieties about modern behavior and respectability. The final joke about trading in an old toothbrush mirrors the car-buying process itself. The top cartoon ("Modern Construction") depicts a chaotic building site, mocking shoddy workmanship alongside the consumer-obsession theme. This reflects the post-WWI economic boom when advertising became manipulative and Americans embraced consumption as lifestyle.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Contractor Being a Step Scene HE SALESMAN: Interested in our toothbrush line, sir? You've The better sort of drug store certainly come to the right place. And just in time f 1927 models. What's more, I think I can get you im- mediate delivery. Yes, sir! Tue Customer (picking up toc brush): This looks pretty sweet. THE SALESMAN rou Sweet, sir? I'M say Feel the Look at the way she sits your Look at those Baby ! tooth in your mouth without even shifting your wrist! Tue That's all about the How it is. Absolutely hotsy-totsy balance of it hand. lines. Reaches every Customer: right handle. about the bristles ? Tur SaLesMan: V-type bristles vul canized in a triple-lock base. Sf with ced micrometrical accuracy for the greatest air circulation and adjusted to the most effic nd economical spread of tooth-paste. Tur But powder without spilling? Tie SatesMax: She's a flapper’s CUusTOMeER will she hold Tne Customer Tur Any extras? SaLesMAN: Man—ask me that going to say a some sealed carton and again. I'm not word tbout the hai the book of give you a qua instructions, but we also ple, nickel-plated, in dividual, one-brush hook to hang it up IT's VER OWN FAULT, MISTER, MODERN CONSTRUCTION As You Pick Out Your Car Toward the Standai on, and a sanitary glass travelis apped at both ends with a per At both ends, end! nds like wh: aluminum cap! mister, not just one Tue Customer I've been looking for Tie SAaLesMan: looking for our toothbrushes. Everybody's been People have been buying them that never owned I tell you price We hbrush before toothbrush at th Tur Customer me. How abo Tue Satessax want Tie Customer: No—I think I'd like a red one, like this. Tur Satesman: Fine! color for the early morning or a handsome ivory finish. Nice, cheery Will you use my founta’ nwn? pen, or your Tue Customer: Well—er—I sort of want my wife to sec it before—oh, here she comes now. (Mrs, Andy Consumer the Hello, What do you think of her? we Custoster’s Wire brush and rs bristles) ; Seems kind Tue she’s enters salesrooms.) dear (picking up ng her thumb over the f stiff SAtesMAN: She'll loosen up once been run around the gums a bit Tur Customer’s Wire: But, ¢ —George *s got a red handle. Tue Custo: Sure; [ kind of Tue Customer's Wire: Nonsense! It FEK ALLOWIN’ YER WIFE TO PRACTICE THE CHARLESTON AT HOME your bathrobe. Do be You kn blue’s the will go with that bathrobe w match sensible. only color that of yours. And it’s such a pretty bath- robe. Tue Customer: Couldn't I brush my teeth in my pajamas Tue Customer's W Don't be indecent! George! Besides, you take cold so easily! Tur Customer: Well, all right, then I'll have a blue one. Tie Customer's Wire: Ye if you must have a new toothbrush, get se. I like blue Tur Satesmay: A lovely color sign here on the dotted lim Tite Customer: One (He takes toot! of his vest pocket and sets it down.) There, look at night and day, for eight me George, a blue ment, y man! anot brush her! In constant use ths—cigh months, and I tell you I haven't spared her. Look over. A brush for the shape she’s in The good, pre-tty good! Tne Customer: Well, then, before I sign up, h are allow me on the trade-in? Henry William Hanemann her darn good SatesMan: Yes, she’s pretty how going to OOTLEGGERS offering a new spring line of whisky of the latest cut, comicbooks.com