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Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Don't Be a Dope! Handle Equipment Right.

Don't Be a Dope! Handle Equipment Right.

Artifact IDMO 2005.13.35.216
Object Type Poster
Artist (American comic book artist, 1917 - 2005)
Maker (American, founded 1861)
Issuing Body (American, founded 1775)
Issuing Body (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 a military truck, the trailer of which has wrapped around a utility pole and split in half. Joe Dope is seen partially collapsed against the rear of the trailer, while a military MP, trapped between the pole and the top of the trailer, bangs on the roof of the trailer with his fist. The word “ORDNANCE” is written along the bottom of the illustration. Text to the right of the illustration reads: "Joe Dope isnt bug-house or lazy, / When he stopped…the trailer went crazy, / The brake line connection, / Merely needed correction, / On vital P.M. [Preventive Maintenance]…he's quite hazy."

Additional small text in the bottom margin of the poster reads: “U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1944—O-62235.”
Additional Details
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