Life, 1927-05-05 · page 45 of 46
Life — May 5, 1927 — page 45: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **product advertisement**, not political satire. The cartoon illustrates a humorous scenario where a golfer has lost his keys to his golf bag—a relatable inconvenience of the era when mechanical keys were the only lock option. The ad promotes the "Sesamee padlock," a combination lock that eliminates the need for keys. Users could set personalized number combinations (using birthdays, addresses, etc.) instead of carrying keys. The cartoon's joke: with a Sesamee lock, the golfer wouldn't be stuck waiting as sunset approaches. The text emphasizes modernity—manufacturers like John Boyle and Rand Kardex were already adopting Sesamee for luggage and office equipment. This represents early 1900s optimism about technological progress replacing outdated systems. The satire, if present, is gentle: poking fun at the inconvenience of keys rather than critiquing social issues. It's essentially a clever sales pitch using humor to demonstrate product utility.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SESAMEE PADLOCK THE MODERN LOCK THAT NEEDS NO KEY LT ‘a Ht MAKES SITUATIONS LIKE THIS IMPOSSIBL! In the rough 19 stay, wnless some one finds bis golf bag hry. Meanwhile the sun sinks lower im the Wott, f A AMEE padlock makes situations like this impossible because like all other Sesamee locks it does away with keys . Just flick the wheels to your own secret combination, Instantly the lock springs open as if by magic + And the wonderful part of itis, you select and set the combination yourself + merely by pressing a small button and turning the wheels to numbers that stick by you, closer than keys - your. street address - birthday - telephone number - invent your own. Your combination opens everything you have + equipped with Sesamee - Works as easily in the dark ¢ ¢ These forward-looking manufacturers already see the end of keys and keyholes- They have adopted Sesamee - John Boyle and Warren on hand luggage, Wheary and Winship vou Wik PERE HAPPIER Wher on trunks, and Rand Kardex Bureau have made it standard on Kardex visible office You HAVE DISCARDED THE KEYS TO YOUR GOLP BAG, GARAGE, LOCKER, SPARE TIRE, CRELLARETTE, ETC, Sporting goods, and department stores. Sesamee is being developed to replace S*SAMEE PADLOCKS ARE MADE IN THREE CONVENIENT SIZES. GUARAN TEED RUSTPROOP .... $3.75 TO $4.50. « « PADLOCK ¢ ¢ files . Sesamee padlocks can be purchased at the better luggage, men’s furnishings, key locks for many uses, doors, furniture and various types of automobile locks, etc. THE SESAMEE COMPANY HARTFORD CONNECTICUT comicbooks.com