Automobile driving

Four drunk young people ride in a speeding automobile driven by “Demon Rum.”

comments and context

Comments and Context

In 1907 the automobile was coming into its own, reaching the middle class. It previously had been a rich person’s toy, expensive and a complicated luxury. The plethora of automobile manufacturers increased at such a pace the Puck magazine’s rival Life swelled to 120 pages on some weeks because of advertisements from automakers, tire manufacturers, and such. Life even conducted a mock “rally,” not for miles or speed but for the volume of ads placed in its pages.

An automobile is being driven down a country road, leaving dead chickens in its wake.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1911-07-26

A “road hog” drives an automobile down the middle of the road, forcing other automobiles to veer off in order to prevent a collision. Caption: For pure hoggishness, he outhogs the end-seat hog.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1911-06-21

Theodore Roosevelt writes to Anna Roosevelt Cowles that he enjoyed William Sheffield Cowles Jr.’s recent visit. Roosevelt explains that they have secured permission to build a new road on their property and describes the redevelopment to accommodate motor vehicles. Roosevelt is amused by the effect of their newfound mobility on Ethel Roosevelt, Kermit Roosevelt, and their friends; they visit friends who live farther away and these guests reciprocate by visiting the Roosevelts’ home too. Roosevelt explains that he is glad they did not have a car before this summer, because he would rather not socialize so much. He updates Anna on the academic interests and college plans of Archibald Roosevelt. Archie and Quentin Roosevelt have taken to playing tennis together, which makes Roosevelt happy, and Quentin also plays baseball with James the butler. Roosevelt speaks very highly of the staff and servants of the house and stable, who are black, and the gardeners and the chauffeur, who are “native Americans.” Roosevelt hopes Anna can visit in the fall or spring and is glad he was able to visit her the past spring. He tells her that the Emlen Roosevelts have had a difficult time because of Aunt Lizzie (Elizabeth Emlen Roosevelt), who is feeble and suffering from mental illness. However, Edith just spent time with Aunt Lizzie and enjoyed it.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1911-07-28