Life, 1928-05-17 · page 3 of 42
Life — May 17, 1928 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This is primarily a **tire advertisement**, not political satire. The page promotes Lee of Conshohocken tires through an illustrated "summer outing" scene. The illustration depicts a 1920s-era leisure scene: well-dressed people gathered around automobiles near trees, suggesting a picnic or recreational drive. This imagery associates Lee tires with modern leisure activities and prosperity—typical advertising strategy of the era. The text emphasizes Lee's manufacturing credentials: diverse rubber products, quality control, laboratory testing, and "long standing" reliability. The tagline "Cost no more to buy—much less to run" promises value. The large tire image (right side) shows the "Lee Shoulderbilt" model, positioned as superior to competitors' "heavy duty balloons." **This is straightforward commercial advertising, not social or political commentary.**