Fight Talk: A WWII Poster Campaign

The Second World War saw the participation of countless corporations steering and converting their talents and resources toward the war effort. At the end of the war, many of these corporations took advantage of their contributions to produce promotional pieces that highlighted their involvement. For instance, the Chrysler Corporation published a four-volume set of small books describing how the company converted its factories into munitions and supply sources for everything from bullets to radar.

This article reproduces the contents of a book published by the General Cable Corporation that reflects on the WWII poster campaign they produced from 1942–1945. This series of graphics promoted such issues as conservation/recycling, safety, thorough job performance, and security. The closing section of the publication has sepia photographic montages showing GCC plants and staff, and presents the achievements and awards received by the company and its employees.

Wrap-around cover illustration by early Timely (Marvel) Comics artist Carl T. Pfeufer. Pfeufer was one of the original artists on Bill Everett's creation, "The Sub-Mariner."

The front and back inside boards/covers have illustrations of the 8 GCC plants across the country.

The advertisement below was produced in 1938 and appears to be a source of inspiration for the poster series. The original painting by Stevan Dohanos was presented to FDR in 1943.