Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Don't be a dope! Handle Equipment Right!
Artifact IDMO 2005.13.35.52
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)
Date1943
Mediumpaper, ink
Dimensionsoverall H 18 1/8 in x W 14 in (46 cm x 35.6 cm )
Physical DescriptionA World War II U.S. conservation poster titled, “Don’t be a dope! HANDLE EQUIPMENT RIGHT.” The brown, orange, black, and white poster features the character Joe Dope, a bumbling U.S. Army soldier, in a comic strip titled “THE MURDER of A PERFECTLY GOOD DIFFERENTIAL / Reel-1 / Starring JOE DOPE.” Across six panels, the comic illustrates Joe working on a military truck until he becomes distracted by an attractive woman, leading to neglect in his work. Consequently, the truck breaks down, and he is held responsible for his actions by an Army technical sergeant. The accompanying text reads: “While draining the oil one day, / The gaze of Joe Dope chanced to stray / To a pippin so cute that the love-sick galoot / Left the oil — and the gears – by the way!” The artist’s facsimile signature is in one of the panels: “CPL. Will EiSNER.”
Additional small text in the bottom margin reads: “U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1943—O-512339-B / ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT, U. S. ARMY.”
Additional DetailsAdditional small text in the bottom margin reads: “U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1943—O-512339-B / ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT, U. S. ARMY.”
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
