Life, 1927-09-15 · page 3 of 40
Life — September 15, 1927 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily a **Timken Roller Bearings advertisement**, not satire or political commentary. The illustration shows two women examining an automobile, with a man presenting it to them. The ad's humor is genteel rather than satirical: it suggests that women influence car-purchasing decisions, and that a savvy man can sway their choice by emphasizing technical reliability—specifically Timken bearings. The text appeals to both "women-folks" (who allegedly prioritize reliability and ease of handling) and "you" (the male reader/decision-maker), promising that Timken components ensure performance, economy, and protection against depreciation. This reflects early 1900s gender assumptions: women as consumers whose preferences could be managed through appeals to practical concerns, while maintaining the conceit that men retain ultimate purchasing authority.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
= see == aa HATEVER the women-folks favor about this or that car, you can be a potent influence in the final choice by insisting on buying only Timken-equipped. They want the utter reliability, quiet and handling ease made possible by Timken Tapered Roller Bearings in transmissions, differentials, pinion or worm drives, rear wheels, front wheels, steering pivots and fan. You want the performance and economy assured by Timken tapered construction, Timken POSITIVELY ALIGNED ROLLS and Timken-made electric steel. This exclusive combination means the most complete protec- tion against friction, thrust, shock and speed—the best way of guarding against depreciation. The Timken Roller Bearing Co., Canton, Ohio TIMKEN i: BEARINGS comicbooks.com