Life, 1926-07-01 · page 17 of 40
Life — July 1, 1926 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three satirical sections mocking American life and pretension. **"The Message"** ridicules a carrier pigeon delivering urgent news—a commentary on outdated communication methods being superseded by modern technology. **"The Great American Myth"** lists hypocritical behaviors wealthy Americans claim to value but don't practice: landlords raising rent, bosses denying raises, theater patrons complaining about prices, and husbands controlling vacation planning. The satire suggests Americans romanticize independence while actually accepting dependence and exploitation. **"The Backbone of Our Nation"** cartoon depicts a farmer refusing a tractor salesman's offer, claiming he won't work twice as hard. The irony critiques rural resistance to mechanization while paradoxically being called the nation's backbone—suggesting farmers are backward despite supposedly representing American strength.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Message brave carrie HE igcon struggled against the heavy wind. Already he had flown many miles. He 0 CX- hausted that it seemed his sturdy wings would collapse and he would drop to the _a helpless bundle of feathers. But ig instinct drove him on—that and perhaps a consciousness of an_ it portant message in a cylinder, a heavy weight on one leg. Somehow he made it tered into his loft, do hands re- moved his messs and it was rushed to an orator waiting on a platform. san pompously declaimed : m happy to announce the news Ww ave just re- from the Mayor of our neigh- town by carricr-pigeon. It says, ‘Fourth of July greetings to the 100°) Americans of Podunk!” Up in the loft pigeon ¢ As he flut- Visibility Has Stella been vaccinated ? I didn’t see any sear. if OB Rows “T guess she hasn't been, then.” Salesman: wut, My you two wecks’ notice when he refuses. 15 The Great American Myth LOATHE independence. Telling the world that if the landlord raises the rent you'll and leave the flat on his hands, ing the boss a fair chance to keep t double your present salary and Putting the theatres out of business for asking five-fifty for a seat. 100‘, AMERICAN Now that Donald Stockbarger of the > of Technology succeeded in broad- casting music by a beam of light, radio owners will be worrying as to whether their sets are bringing in jazz or thunderstorms. THE BACKBONE OF OUR NATION WORK. Making the traffic officer apologiz Ordering the waiter to take the steak back to the kitchen and to send the manager to your table, Giving your wife to understand that you will select the time and the pl for the annual vacation, I loathe indepenc I have never seen any. McCready Huston. Spare Cash JOARMER: Yes, sir, my new Ford cost me fi hundred dollars. Banker: How is that? Farme if sons and : sorics business. FRIEND, WITIL THE TRACTOR YOU COULD Do ficice AS MUCIT “Wily, YE DURN FOOL, 1 DON’T want TO pO TWice’T AS MUCIL Work!” comicbooks.com