Don’t Waste Paper

In 1918, the U.S. War Industries Board ran ads in magazines and newspapers urging everyone to save paper. The reason: "Paper contains valuable chemicals necessary for war purposes. Economy in the use of paper will release a large quantity of these materials for making poisonous gas."

All patriots were urged to do their part to help "Gas the Fiendish Huns."

The Illustrated Milliner - Sep 28, 1918

Posted By: Alex - Fri Oct 14, 2016 - Comments (2)
Category: War, 1910s

Follies of the Madmen #293

Death-dealing war instrument of mass destruction compared to treasured hymn.

Original ad here.

Posted By: Paul - Mon Sep 26, 2016 - Comments (6)
Category: Death, War, Armed Forces, Weapons, Advertising, 1970s

Early Car Bomb and/or Guided Missile

Original article here.

Posted By: Paul - Tue Sep 13, 2016 - Comments (9)
Category: Inventions, War, Weapons, 1910s, Cars

Escape Training

Just in case ISIS captures you on your next Middle Eastern vacation.

Posted By: Paul - Wed May 11, 2016 - Comments (7)
Category: PSA’s, War, Armed Forces, 1950s

Trimming Beets for Victory!

WWII was won through strategic use of beets--apparently. No sound on this video.

Posted By: Paul - Mon Mar 07, 2016 - Comments (7)
Category: Agriculture, Boredom, Food, PSA’s, War, 1940s

Captain Tick-Mouse

Original images here.

I am not sure having a rat-like figure as your patriotic icon is the best choice of imagery.

Here is a little background on the character, from this source.

Posted By: Paul - Tue Dec 01, 2015 - Comments (6)
Category: Anthropomorphism, Politics, Propaganda, Thought Control and Brainwashing, War, 1910s

The Atom Blanket

Tuck your kids into bed with the "Atom Blanket" and you know they'll be safe from surprise nuclear attacks!



Source: Newsweek - Apr 26, 1954

Note: Although Newsweek claimed this blanket was widely publicized, I haven't been able to find any references to it in papers and magazines from the 1950s -- beyond the reference in Newsweek itself. Perhaps it was advertised in trade publications that have never been scanned and placed online.

Posted By: Alex - Wed Nov 11, 2015 - Comments (9)
Category: War, Atomic Power and Other Nuclear Matters, 1950s

Civil War Nurse Barbie

First of all, there's actually such a thing as a Civil War Nurse Barbie. (But no Civil War Soldier Ken, featuring horrific battle injuries).

Second, it's been pointed out in a number of places (such as here and here) that the doll is historically inaccurate. So it teaches kids bad history.

Dorothea Dix, Superintendent of Female nurses, famously set strict guidelines for all Union nurses: "They were required to be between 35-50 years old and plain-looking. [No attractive young nurses!] They were to dress in black or brown dresses and were not allowed to wear jewelry of any kind."

This is what an actual Civil War nurses' uniform looked like, complete with bloodstains:


Unlike the Union, the Confederates didn't have a nurses organization that defined what nurses should wear. But Confederate nurses tended to dress in simple, plain dresses, because that was practical.

Posted By: Alex - Fri Oct 30, 2015 - Comments (12)
Category: Toys, War, Nineteenth Century

Siwash, the Duck Who Fought with the Marines in WWII

[Click text to enlarge]

Original article here.

Did Siwash actually have a little tailored uniform? Because that would be the greatest thing ever.

Posted By: Paul - Wed Aug 05, 2015 - Comments (3)
Category: Animals, War, 1940s

Doomtown

Posted By: Paul - Sun Jul 19, 2015 - Comments (5)
Category: Destruction, War, Weapons, 1950s, North America