Life — August 9, 1929 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis 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 BULLETS" draws a parallel between the obsolete Indian arrow and the modern bullet—just as arrows became outdated due to insufficient range and speed, older office equipment presumably became outdated compared to the Mimeograph.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.