Preserving food, making the most of fuel, and keeping quiet with facts that could have been used against the war effort were common themes for these posters. But, the government also gave advice on daily life that spanned far beyond cooking and not helping spies. From when to get your shoes repaired to how to weatherproof your home, the propaganda posters of the 1940s offer a unique window into the aspects of life that the U.S. government was keeping track of in order to maximize their efforts against the Axis powers.

Via/ National Archives
Via/ National Archives
Via/ National Archives
Via/ National Archives
Via/ National Archives
Via/ National Archives
Via/ National Archives
Via/ National Archives

Coming straight from the Great Depression into WWII, the need to waste nothing was apparent, but what’s surprising is the wide scope of advice to be absorbed by these striking posters. For more about WWII rationing and government advice click here.

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