The Wasp — 1896 — page 269: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page features a three-panel comic strip titled "Little Willie's Bright Idea: A Tale of Juvenile Depravity, in Three Chapters." The strip shows a young boy discovering what appears to be a bicycle or similar mechanical device. The sequential panels depict him examining it, then apparently attempting to operate or disassemble it, with comedic consequences shown through the illustrated actions. The humor relies on depicting a child's naive curiosity and destructive impulses—a common satirical theme of the era. The "depravity" in the title is ironic, suggesting innocent mischief rather than genuine wrongdoing. The strip's entertainment value derives from physical comedy and the relatable scenario of childhood troublemaking, typical of early 20th-century American humor magazines.