Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Don't Wreck It!
Artifact IDMO 2005.13.35.140
Object Type
Poster
Maker
U.S. Government Printing Office
(American, founded 1861)
Issuing Body
U.S. Army
(American, founded 1775)
Issuing Body
U.S. Army Conservation Program
(American, founded 1943)
Date1945
Mediumpaper, ink
Dimensionsoverall H 20 in x W 14 in (50.8 cm x 35.6 cm )
Physical DescriptionA World War II U.S. Army conservation poster titled “don’t wreck it! it’s your latrine.” The blue, white, and black poster features a vertical series of four cartoon images of a soldier demonstrating incorrect behavior in a bathroom. Each of the scenes is accompanied by captions that advise: “DON'T CLOG THE BOWL / DON'T BREAK THE FAUCET / DON'T BREAK THE MIRROR / DON'T KICK THE VALVE.”
Along the bottom of the poster are distribution instructions, the U.S. Army Conservation Program “SAVE” logo, and small text that reads: “POST IN ALL LATRINES / U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1945—O-633222 / Army Conservation Project No. 141-E-32.”
Additional DetailsAlong the bottom of the poster are distribution instructions, the U.S. Army Conservation Program “SAVE” logo, and small text that reads: “POST IN ALL LATRINES / U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1945—O-633222 / Army Conservation Project No. 141-E-32.”
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