Life — December 23, 1926 — page 3: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This is primarily **advertising**, not satire or political commentary. It's a 1920s advertisement for Budd-Michelin steel wheels, presented as a testimonial format. The ad claims Alvan Macauley, President of Packard Motor Car Company, endorsed switching to Budd-Michelin wheels as superior to wooden wheels. The "cartoon" elements—sketches of Packard automobiles in urban scenes—are decorative illustrations supporting the sales pitch, not satirical commentary. The ad uses customer testimonials from various locations (New York, California, Colorado, New Jersey) praising steel wheels' durability, appearance, and safety compared to wooden wheels. The phrase "Goodbye, buggy wheels" reflects the automotive industry's transition away from horse-drawn vehicles. This represents straightforward early automotive advertising rather than political or social satire.