Life, 1928-12-21 · page 20 of 36
Life — December 21, 1928 — page 20: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three satirical pieces about early 20th-century office and social life. The top cartoon mocks vanity: a woman at a portrait studio asks the artist to flatter her weight loss (three or four pounds), suggesting both her self-consciousness and the artist's diplomatic challenge. "This Telephone Is Strictly for Business" satirizes workplace hypocrisy. An employee tries to conduct personal business (calling "Tillie") on a company line while pretending it's business, then frantically tries to disconnect when the boss returns. The humor lies in the obvious conflict between stated policy and actual practice—workers sneaking personal calls during work hours. The bottom three-panel cartoon titled "Special Delivery" appears to show mail delivery scenarios, likely commenting on postal service inefficiencies or absurdities, though specific details are unclear. A brief note credits Henry Ford, suggesting contemporary business humor was in vogue. The overall theme emphasizes the gap between official propriety and actual behavior in modern office culture.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“Couldn't you change your portrait of me just a weentie bit? You can see for yourself that since last year I've reduced at least three or four pounds.” This Telephone Is Strictly for “You don’t say! Well, now, that’s cer-! “Jack, I'm going to hang up this Busine tainly fine! Business is certainly booming | minute!” USINIESS with us, too.” “Certainly, certainly, to be sure—hcy, “Hew-Lo. Tidkins speaking.” “Say, Jack, are you crazy! This is) baby, hold the wire! The boss just lett “Hello; is that you, Jack, dear? Tillie, 1 said.” the office.” James L. Dilley “Why, yes, yes, of course. Mighty fine} “Yes, I think perhaps that can be ar- . y of you to call me up, old man, How long] ranged. Awfully glad you gave me a are you going to be in town?” ring, old chap. Yes—we might discuss Paracrapuers, take heart. Henry “But Jack, dear, this is Tillie!” j that proposition over the luncheon table.” | Ford made a billion out of a joke. «by me “Th \awn j I de ty mi | And pfant feling he orc comicbooks.com