Life — May 1932 — page 7: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Great Minds at Work" - Life Magazine, May 1932 This page presents satirical quotes from prominent public figures during the Great Depression. Each quote appears alongside a caricatured bust, mocking the disconnect between leaders' statements and economic reality. **Key figures and satire:** - **Henry Ford** on buying cars with cash—absurd when millions are unemployed - **Herbert Hoover** on presidential campaigns making "large promises"—critiquing Depression-era political rhetoric - **Calvin Coolidge** claiming "work" solves unemployment—simplistic during systemic collapse - **Al Capone** on the racket business—darkly comparing organized crime to legitimate enterprise The overall satire attacks these "great minds" for offering platitudes or self-serving commentary while Americans suffer economic devastation. The title itself is ironic—these aren't actually great minds addressing real solutions.