Life, 1927-02-17 · page 27 of 34
Life — February 17, 1927 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily a **radio advertisement** for the Grebe Synchrophase Radio, not political satire. The cartoon elements are purely commercial illustrations. The top shows three anthropomorphized dials (with faces and limbs) demonstrating the radio's "One Dial Controls" feature—the central dial dances between two others, humorously illustrating ease of tuning. The small cartoon on the left depicts a character labeled "Colortone," personifying the tone-control feature that adjusts pitch and timbre to reduce reception static. The humor is gentle and promotional rather than satirical: the mascot characters make radio mechanics appear simple and fun for consumers. The advertisement emphasizes the Grebe brand as "the oldest exclusive radio manufacturer," highlighting technical innovations like flexible unit controls and multiple dials as selling points during the early radio era (likely 1920s-early 1930s based on styling and manufacturing references to Richmond Hill and Los Angeles facilities).
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ot Colortone The effective gover- nor of tone quality. Gives you control of the pitch and timbre of the loud speak: voice, elimin: 4 the harsh, unnatural sounds which spoil reception. This Company broadcasts eae UNING a Grebe Synchrophase Radio is the easiest thing imaginable—with the finger tips move the center dial until you get the sta- tion you want. The Grebe Flexible Unit Control also permits individual dial setting of all three dials whenever desired. Send for Booklet L. Then have a Grebe dealer demonstrate all the exclusive Grebe features. A. H. Grebe & Co., Inc., 109 West 57th St., New York Factory: Richmond Hill, N. Y. Western Branch: 443 S. San Pedro St., Los Angeles, Calif. The oldest exclusive radie manufactarer. —Synchrophase The Synchrophase is also supplied in five co * sole lels. comicbooks.com