American World War II beat the promise poster encouraging workers to share ideas
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 22.000 inches (55.88 cm) | Width: 18.250 inches (46.355 cm)
Creator(s)
- Radio Corporation of America (Publisher)
Archival History
The poster was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2018 by Suzanne Herskovic Ponder.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Suzanne Herskovic Ponder
Scope and Content
Wartime poster depicting a worker examining the mechanical insides of an oversized head that was part of RCA Victor’s “Beat the Promise” worker incentive poster series instituted in September 1941, shortly before the United States entered World War II. The poster encourages employees to share their ideas in an effort to boost production. The poster was part of RCA Victor’s Beat the Promise worker incentive campaign instituted in September 1941, shortly before the United States entered World War II. The promise refers to the company’s production quotas, which employees were encouraged to surpass. The poster series was part of a larger campaign by RCA Victor to increase production for the war effort. The campaign included rallies with war bond drives that featured notable military figures and Victor record recording artists. The campaign was very successful; RCA Victor’s production in 1941 was 14 times greater than in 1939, and production through the first six months of 1942 was 49 times greater than the same period in 1939.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Offset lithographic printed poster on coated, medium weight white paper, with an image of a man lifting the top off of a large sculptural concrete head and peering inside while scratching his head. The man wears blue overalls, a white shirt, and a black cap. The background is black and there are several white text captions around the man. The inside of the sculptural head is bathed in yellow and is full of toothed gears, pulleys, and mechanical belts. The man and head both stand on an irregularly shaped maroon surface with several black spots. Below the image are several lines of white and yellow text. The back has dark streaks throughout.
Subjects
- World War, 1939-1945--Participation, Civilian.
- World War, 1939-1945--Mass media and the war.
- Labor.
- World War, 1939-1945--United States--Posters.
- United States.
- Work.
Genre
- Object
- Posters
- Posters.