Life — September 1933 — page 11: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Explanation for Modern Readers This September 1933 *Life* page satirizes Wiley Post's recent solo flight around the world. The article questions Post's achievement by noting he flew 15,596 fewer miles than the globe's actual circumference—suggesting he may not have completed a true round-the-world journey. The cartoon below shows a man repeatedly attempting to reshape his nose using a device advertised as the "Sculptex" nose-shaper. It's a parallel metaphor: just as Post's flight claims don't match reality, the man's nose-reshaping efforts appear futile. The satire mocks both Post's dubious accomplishment and consumer products making false promises. The "Wheels of Industry" section reporting on nose-shaping devices reinforces the joke—treating frivolous cosmetic products with mock-serious business coverage.