The Wasp — 1895 — page 677: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains two distinct sections: an illustrated article about electricity displays at a fair, and several brief satirical anecdotes at bottom. The top and middle illustrations depict various fairground exhibits featuring electric lighting—then a novel technology. The text praises innovative electrical displays by companies like Edison Light and Power Company, describing decorative installations using arc lamps and incandescent bulbs. The bottom section presents short jokes, including exchanges between jailbirds, a doctor, lawyer, and Hayes-Valley residents. These appear to be generic social humor rather than specific political satire—poking fun at professional types and local characters through brief comedic dialogue. The overall page emphasizes marvels of modern electricity while serving lighter entertainment through wordplay and situational comedy typical of late-19th-century humor magazines.