---
title: If machines could "talk"... Take care!
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/if-machines-could-talk-take-care-1941/
description: 'Industrial safety poster: two workers stand before a furnace-like machine and a press with eyes and mouths, one with a severed-looking human arm and a hand'
section: Collection
---

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3. If machines could "talk"... Take care!

**Content note:** Cartoon severed and crushed human limbs are drawn in the machines' mouths and under the press. This object is shown as it was published. [Why](https://propagandaarchive.org/about/#as-it-was)

[![If machines could "talk"... Take care!, 1941 US poster: Industrial safety poster](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/if-machines-could-talk-take-care-1941.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/if-machines-could-talk-take-care-1941.jpg)

# If machines could "talk"... Take care!

Industrial safety poster: two workers stand before a furnace-like machine and a press with eyes and mouths, one with a severed-looking human arm and a hand in its jaws, the other a fist caught under its ram. The machines speak in workers' slang. The technique is faint here: informal, folksy speech and cartoon humor frame a plain warning.

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Plain folks](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/plain-folks/)

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
IF MACHINES COULD "TALK"...
FOR PETE'S SAKE!-
WATCH WOT YOU'RE
DOIN'!-I DON'T KNOW
ME OWN STREN'TH!
DON'T BE AFRAID -
BUT DO BE CAREFUL!
TAKE CARE!
[signature:] PACKER
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Copyright, "VICTORY-BUILDERS" Division BRESSLER EDITORIAL CARTOONS, Inc.
```

[← If it shouldn't get out, Report It!](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/if-it-shouldnt-get-out-report-it-1941/) [If soldiers did this... What would become of us? →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/if-soldiers-did-this-what-would-become-of-us-1941/)

## More propaganda examples that use the same techniques

- [Trois Tetes sous l'meme bonnet (three heads under the same cap)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/trois-tetes-sous-le-meme-bonnet-1789/) (France · 1789 · Plain folks, Glittering generalities)
- ['This log cabin was the first building erected on the North Bend', Whig print by T. Sinclair, 1840](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/harrison-north-bend-log-cabin-sinclair-1840/) (United States · 1840 · Plain folks, Transfer)
- [Treeing Coons (pro-Polk cartoon), 1844](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/treeing-coons-polk-1844/) (United States · 1844 · Name-calling, Plain folks)
- [Zachary Taylor, People's Candidate for President (Currier banner), 1848](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/taylor-fillmore-peoples-candidate-1848/) (United States · 1848 · Plain folks, Glittering generalities)
- ['Little Mac.' (from the Democratic presidential campaign songster)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/little-mac-song-sheet-feeks-1864/) (United States · 1864 · Bandwagon, Plain folks)
- [The peoples' choice, H. Greeley G. Brown](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/peoples-choice-greeley-brown-1872/) (United States · 1872 · Bandwagon, Plain folks)
- [The working-man's banner. For President, Ulysses S. Grant, 'The Galena Tanner.' For Vice-President, Henry Wilson, 'The Natick Shoemaker.'](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/working-mans-banner-grant-1872/) (United States · 1872 · Plain folks, Transfer)
- [The Chappaqua farmer](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/chappaqua-farmer-1872/) (United States · Jul 1872 · Plain folks, Glittering generalities)