Life — June 7, 1929 — page 6: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Franklin Automobile Advertisement This is primarily a **Franklin automobile advertisement**, not political satire. The image shows a stylishly dressed woman admiring a Franklin car beside flowers, representing aspirational 1920s consumer culture. The ad's satire is **commercial rather than political**: it mockingly claims "Progress has proved that FRANKLIN was right," referencing Franklin's earlier marketing emphasis on air-cooling technology. The copy playfully suggests competitors dismissed this innovation until sales success vindicated it. The "airplane feel" messaging appealed to 1920s fascination with aviation as the ultimate symbol of modernity. The ad positions Franklin as progressive and forward-thinking, with price reductions ($600 cheaper) and superior performance to justify purchasing. This reflects post-WWI American optimism about technology and consumer goods.