Life — February 7, 1930 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This is a science fiction illustration depicting an imaginary Martian city. The caption reads: "AVIATOR: Lake Superior, my eye! This is one of the canals on Mars!" The satire targets contemporary astronomical speculation about Mars. In the early 20th century, astronomers (notably Percival Lowell) claimed to observe "canals" on Mars, theorizing an advanced alien civilization existed there. This illustration humorously imagines what such canals might look like—complete with futuristic architecture, crowds of inhabitants, and alien vegetation. The joke plays on the aviator's skepticism: he's so amazed by this fantastical Martian landscape that he dismissively compares it to Lake Superior, suggesting the canal system is so elaborate it seems impossible, even compared to Earth's massive freshwater lake. The artwork reflects early 20th-century optimism about space exploration and popular fascination with extraterrestrial life.