Life, 1927-10-27 · page 35 of 36
Life — October 27, 1927 — page 35: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is not a satirical cartoon, but rather a **straightforward advertising campaign** by the National Lumber Manufacturers Association. There is no satire or political commentary present. The page promotes a slogan-writing contest offering $15,000 in total prizes for catchy phrases about wood's virtues. The text argues wood is America's essential material—citing its historical role in building the nation, its durability, beauty, friendliness, and economy. It counters timber-shortage concerns by claiming ample forest reserves exist. The piece emphasizes wood's expanding uses (from 2,600 uses twenty years prior to over 4,500 currently) and references Charles Lindbergh's airplane, suggesting wood's modern relevance. The contest itself—targeting ordinary people rather than professional writers—was a common marketing tactic of the era. This appears to be a genuine industry promotion, likely from the 1920s-30s, with no hidden satirical intent.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
This message may mean $5,000 to you. And remember that these slogan contest prizes are seldom won by professional writers or y technical experts. Nearly always ‘| the winners are people whonever expected to win. So do not skip | anything—not one word. No timber shortage everyone has t » believe that this ¢ cen in- untry nfronted by an acute B. S. Forester, urges and conserve the Ps | Greeley, U. the nation to “Use forests.” For tim cutwhen ripe. F There is enough standing timber in the Uniged c room house for every family in th ép. Itneeds to ‘These are not ions’* but facts backed up by extensive i | reports of the Unit Betier lumber than ever try and endorsed b . S. Government, give the purchaser ction he never had before. ards has | won forthe Lamber Industry high praise from Secretary of Commerce Hert rt Hoover. | Wood built America Without we t Ame Stout wooden ships brought the settlers re could have been no ica of America across the wide stretches of the Wood sheltered them in ins and wood housed their nial mansions —many of — $15,000 mn cash prizes Jor a slogan about WOOD ‘Read the fascinating story of Nature's most friendly and useful material. Know more about its beauty, durability and economy. Learn the truth about America's vast and permanent supply of timber. Then send us your slogan! Throughout the Th d built the homes, the churches, the town halls, the schools, Wood built the wharves, warehouses, the stockades, the , the bridges. the Forty-Niners. bat way over the long cruel trail rteen Colonies we barns, in covered wag ties of wood the rai ceasingly, West, East, North Uses constantly increasing Twenty years a 2600 commercial and industrial uses for “oday there are more than 4 From the staunch timbers in mine shafts o there were less than to the buoyant strength of Lindbergh's im- mankind in plane, wood serves ss and ever teasing ways. Wood endures The oldest and mc 1 America are houses of them stand tod. and beam, an before the Revolution. Wood e during. | nly one of our nat resources that g The mine a gaping hole; the fores res—and the supply is en ver reness. Wood is beautiful Wood possesses a pleasing natur: h age a nd can fashioned and carved and fitted into thousands of charming designs. And surely it is significant American architect prefers lumber for his own home! Wood is friendly materials there is none so friendly the of with such a sense of human companion- ship as wood. Wood is warm and alive to the touch, The han 1, the steering wheel of your c ¢ arm of vour chair, the bowl of your pipe—you like the F them because they are wood, ie of a to feel o' Wood is economical Wood is stronger, pound for pound, than any other material. It is easily and cheaply fitted to special forms for special needs. tion of we id, ar known its alm ma fr ber in the Nat Associa: 4 coupon # NATIONAL LUMBER MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION Washington, D.C Manufacturers of American Standard Lumber This free booklet may mean 350000 to you P t Send today! Mail « the Official Blank on 1 Be Submitted. This 9 added to y ay mean mail your coupon right now First Prize $5,000 Second Prize . 2,000 Third Prize 1,000 Four Prizes (each) . —'500 Fifty Prizes (each) 100 Total, $15,000 Contest Closes December 15th comicbooks.com