Vanderbilt Cup Races

From 1883 to 1936, Life was a humor and general interest magazine of drawings capturing the American scene. As a major phenomenon in the early 1900s, the automobile came in for its fair share of Life's fun, satire and sentiment. This portfolio of six cartoons from 1901 to 1908 questioned whether automobiles would be replaced by air travel, the reliability and safety of the automobile, and the never-ending struggle between wealthy and poor:

Caption: "A prediction for 1905- Of course there will always be some use for an automobile."

Caption: "It may be slow, but we'll get home."

Caption: "Just think William! Probably the only pleasant break in the monotonous lives of these poor people is the occasional passer-by like ourselves."

Caption: "BC., 2500- Centaur AD., 1906- Montaur"

Caption: "1906, 1907, 1908 (?)"

Caption: "In 1918: The rich they ride in airships, but the poor-"