Life, 1927-06-30 · page 29 of 35
Life — June 30, 1927 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a product advertisement for the Sesamee combination padlock, presented as a modern innovation replacing traditional key locks. The cartoon illustrates the problem the product solves: a couple locked out of their garage because they've misplaced the key—a relatable domestic inconvenience. The satire is gentle and self-aware. The caption acknowledges the very real frustration: "To ruin an evening thoroughly, mislay the key to your garage padlock." The advertisement then positions the Sesamee lock as the solution—users select their own combination (address, birthday, phone number) rather than depending on physical keys. The ad emphasizes modernity and forward-thinking adoption by manufacturers like John Boyle, Warren, and Kardex. The product appears designed for 1920s-30s consumers concerned with convenience and security for automobiles, luggage, and household items. There is no political satire here—this is straightforward commercial messaging using relatable humor to sell an innovative security product.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SESAMEE *+PADLOCK-s THE MODERN LOCK THAT NEEDS NO KEY MAKES SITUATIONS LIKE THIS IMPOSSIBLE ¢ ¢ PADLOCK ¢ ¢ YOU WILL FEEL SAFER WHEN YOU HAVE DISCARDED THE KEYS TO YOUR GOLP BAG, GARAGE, LOCKER, SPARE TIRE, CELLAR ETTE, ETC. SESAMEE PADLOCKS ARE MADE IN THREE CON- VENIENT SIZES. GUARANTEED RUSTPROOF. PRICES $3.75 TO $4.50. THE SESAMEE To ruin an evening thorenghly, mislay the key to your garage padlock. ND this padlock operates like all other Sesamee locks - Just flick the wheels to your own secret combination + Instantly the lock springs open as if by magic. And the wonderful part of it is, 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 own. Your combination opens everything you have + equipped with Sesamee - It works just as easily in the dark ° + invent your e ° ° ° ° ° + Already these forward-looking manufacturers see the end of keys and keyholes- They have adopted Sesamee - John Boyle and Warren on hand luggage, Wheary and Winship on trunks, and Rand Kardex Bureau have made it standard on Kardex visible office files . Sesamee padlocks can be purchased at the better luggage, men’s furnishings, sporting goods, and department stores. Sesamee is being developed to replace key locks for doors, furniture, various types of automobile locks and many other uses. COMPANY #¢ # HARTFORD CONNECTICUT comicbooks.com