Life, 1929-08-09 · page 8 of 44
Life — August 9, 1929 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **Mimeograph machine advertisement**, not a political cartoon. The page uses an extended metaphor comparing technological progress to warfare: The headline "ARROWS VS. BULLETS" draws a parallel between the obsolete Indian arrow and the modern bullet—just as arrows became outdated due to insufficient range and speed, older office equipment presumably became outdated compared to the Mimeograph. The machine pictured is a Mimeograph, a duplicating device that could rapidly reproduce documents. The ad emphasizes its speed ("several thousands in every hour"), accuracy, and low cost for printing business materials (letters, bulletins, maps, charts). The satirical point is gentle: just as warfare technology evolved, so too has office technology. The A.B. Dick Company marketed this machine as the modern solution for businesses needing efficient document reproduction.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ARROWS vs. BULLETS The old Indian arrow became obsolete not because it didn’t shoot straight, but because it didn’t shoot straight far enough. At close range it was annoyingly accurate. But it slowed down too soon. We have learned how to put enduring speed, ranging momentum, into our modern mis- siles. The Mimeograph ‘‘shoots’’ them out at the almost unbelievable rate of several thousands in every hour of the working day—well printed form letters, bulletins, questionnaires, instruction blanks, maps, charts, and kindred matter. Rapid work at small cost! Accurate shots at definite marks—no matter what the range! Learn just what this simple and inexpensive device is doing for others—today. Full particulars from A. B. Dick Company, Chicago, or from branches in principal cities. comicbooks.com