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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 2005.13.35.217
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 21 in x W 16 3/4 in (53.3 cm x 42.5 cm )
Physical DescriptionA World War II U.S. Army conservation poster titled “Don’t be a dope! HANDLE EQUIPMENT RIGHT!” The red, black, and white poster features a cartoon illustration of a U.S. Army tank traveling over rocky terrain. Malfunctioning shock absorbers on the tank are causing such heavy shaking that several of the soldiers on it have tied themselves to the vehicle with rope, including Joe Dope who has been launched into the air due to the extreme vibrations. The words “ORDNANCE DEPT.” are written along the bottom of the illustration. Text to the right of the illustration reads: "Shock absorbers left to get dry / Wear out and will leak by and by / Observe how Joe Dope / Resorted to rope / Road shocks ain't absorbed / --- that's why!"

Additional small text in the bottom margin of the poster reads: “U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1944—O-622350.”
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