Life, 1929-06-28 · page 35 of 37
Life — June 28, 1929 — page 35: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **Packard automobile advertisement**, not political satire. The page uses historical metaphor to market luxury cars: the opening image of clipper ships discovering trade routes parallels Packard's claim to pioneering automotive innovation. The advertisement asserts that Packard has led the industry for thirty years, originating features like automatic spark advance, spiral bevel gears, four-wheel brakes, and shock absorption systems. The bottom half displays a 1920s-era Packard sedan. The tagline "Ask the man who owns one" was Packard's actual famous slogan, implying satisfied owners would testify to quality. For modern readers: this targets affluent, discriminating buyers by positioning Packard as the thoughtful luxury choice—not merely expensive, but technologically superior and artistically refined. The maritime metaphor suggests exploration and prestige rather than mass-market accessibility.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Over uncharted seas New E and land clipper ships sought found a rich commerce —establishing permanent trade routes The log of Packard achievement records the sailing of many uncharted waters— the marking of many new channels of progress for the guidance of an industry. ackard has most often found the way now generally followed. For thirty years a policy of creative research has contributed to Packard supremacy. The automatic spark advance, spiral bevel ears, four wheel brakes, instant chassis lu- Brication and now a unique and exclusive shock absorbing system—these are but a few of today’s proven motor car features originated or sponsored by Packard. Packard's reputation for advanced engi- neering and design is firmly established — in the air and on the water as on the high- way. Packard's intent is ever to excel—to build for a discriminating and growing clientele a motor car of acknowledged quality leadership, both mechanically and artistically, Thos at the helm of Packard management will hold to no other course. WHO OWNS ONE comicbooks.com