Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Don't Be a Dope! Handle Equipment Right!
Artifact IDMO 2005.13.35.218
Object Type
Poster
Artist
Will Eisner
(American comic book artist, 1917 - 2005)
Maker
U.S. Government Printing Office
(American, founded 1861)
Issuing Body
U.S. Army
(American, founded 1775)
Issuing Body
U.S. Army Ordnance Corps
(American, founded 1812)
Date1944
Mediumpaper, ink
Dimensionsoverall H 16 3/4 in x W 21 in (42.5 cm x 53.3 cm )
Physical DescriptionA World War II U.S. Army conservation poster titled “Don’t be a dope! HANDLE EQUIPMENT RIGHT!” The green, black, and white poster features a cartoon illustration of two U.S. Army soldiers – one of whom is Joe Dope – standing in the hatches of an Army tank. The tank’s turret is rapidly spinning in a circle and in the process, the barrel of the tank’s gun has lopped off Joe Dope’s head and smashed the other soldier in the face. The word “ORDNANCE” is written along the bottom of the illustration. Text below the illustration reads: "To Joe Dope ring-round-rosie is fun / With fat girls but not with a gun / Turret locks not engaged / When tank's start is staged / Will result in more mayhem than fun."
Additional small text in the bottom margin of the poster reads: “U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1944—O-62235.”
Additional DetailsAdditional small text in the bottom margin of the poster reads: “U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1944—O-62235.”
Custodial History NoteDonated to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by the Adriance Memorial Library.
Credit LineGift of the Adriance Memorial Library
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesOriginal Posters from World War I and World War II (National Archives Identifier 739394)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.In Collection(s)
Not on view