Life — May 24, 1928 — page 4: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This page is primarily **advertising**, not political satire. It features a Sesamee lock advertisement—a combination lock requiring no physical key, innovative for the 1920s era. The top illustration shows well-dressed travelers at what appears to be a customs or luggage inspection, with the caption emphasizing the security advantage: "Two smart travelers—one carries two sets of keys for safety. The other—no keys. His luggage is equipped with Sesamee." The ad's appeal targets the anxieties of early 20th-century travelers: lost keys, luggage theft, and cumbersome key management. The numbered combination system (0-999) was presented as modern convenience and security. The lower section shows product variations (Switch Lock, Lever Lock, Drawer Lock, Padlock) with pricing around $1.00-$1.75, plus a mail-order coupon for interested consumers.