US careless talk kills sailors poster Avoid Careless Talk
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 26.000 inches (66.04 cm) | Width: 20.000 inches (50.8 cm)
Creator(s)
- United States Government Printing Office (Printer)
- United States Office of War Information (Distributor)
Biographical History
The United States Office of War Information (OWI) was created on June 13, 1942, to centralize and control the content and production of government information and propaganda about the war. It coordinated the release of war news for domestic use, and using posters along with radio broadcasts, worked to promote patriotism, warn about foreign spies, and recruit women into war work. The office also established an overseas branch, which launched a large-scale information and propaganda campaign abroad. The government appealed to the public through popular culture and more than a quarter of a billion dollars' worth of advertising was donated during the first three years of the National Defense Savings Program. Victory in Europe was declared on May 8, 1945, and in Japan on September 2, 1945. The OWI ceased operation in September.
Archival History
The poster was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2016 by David and Lucinda Pollack.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of David and Lucinda Pollack
Scope and Content
Poster depicting a man with a cigarette with his hand to his ear; behind him are phrases he is listening to, including, "Do you know...", "I know that...", "Someone told me...", and "I hear that..." Under the man's face is an illustration of a news clipping with the headline, "U-Boat Captain Kills 22 Sailors."
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
Restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Rectangular poster depicting a man with a cigarette with his hand to his ear; behind him are phrases he is listening to, including, "Do you know...", "I know that...", "Someone told me...", and "I hear that..." Under the man's face is an illustration of a news clipping with the headline, "U-Boat Captain Kills 22 Sailors."
Subjects
- World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Posters--Specimens.
- World War, 1939-1945--Covert operations--Posters--Specimens.
- United States--Social life and customs--1918-1945--Posters--Specimens.
- Espionage--United States--Prevention--Posters--Specimens.
- National security--United States--Posters--Specimens.
- World War, 1939-1945--United States--Posters.
- War posters, American--Specimens.
- Propaganda, American--Posters--Specimens.
Genre
- Object
- Posters