Life — January 9, 1931 — page 6: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Overstuffed Furniture As A Source Of Income" This 1931 satirical article advises Depression-era readers on monetizing household furniture by renting it out. The accompanying cartoon depicts a crowded parlor scene where numerous guests lounge on overstuffed chairs and sofas—the humor lies in the absurd density of people packed into one room. The article's tongue-in-cheek "advice" suggests charging visitors small fees to sit on furniture, use the ottoman, or leave items in coat pockets. It playfully warns that maids with "short, stubby fingers" might steal loose coins hidden in upholstery, and recommends firing them immediately if valuables go missing. The satire targets the financial desperation of ordinary Americans during the Great Depression, mocking improbable schemes to generate income from ordinary household items.