Content note: Cartoon of a soldier killed by an explosion, shown as boots, a helmet, dog tags and fingers left in the dirt. This object is shown as it was published. Why
A maxim Joe Dope just pooh poohs is that one should be kind to a fuze
Ordnance Department cartoon poster for servicemen: a soldier swings a sledgehammer at a bomb fuze while a sergeant looks on, and below lie a pair of boots, a helmet and dog tags where he stood. A circled panel states fuzes are hand-screwed and need no tools. The verse names 'Joe Dope' as the fool; the deterrent is a fear-appeal built on a fatal result.
Propaganda techniques used in this poster
- Date
- 1941
- Period
- Second World War
- Made by
- Ordnance Department, U.S. Army; artist Will Eisner
- Region
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Medium
- Poster
- Issuer type
- Military
- Regime
- Roosevelt Administration
- Leader
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Audience
- Own forces
- Purpose
- Warn or inform
- Theme
- War and the military
- Event
- World War II
- Regime
- Roosevelt administration
- Leader
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Source
- Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are
- Source
- U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 44, World War II Posters, retrieved October 4, 2026
- Rights
- Public domain (U.S. government work)
Ordnance Department, U.S. Army. National Archives and Records Administration, RG 44, 44-PA-1143Q (NAID 514715).
Text on the object
A maxim Joe Dope just pooh poohs Is that one should be kind to a fuze; When the thing seemed to stick, He hit it a lick - And all they could find was his shoes! A FUZE IS A VERY DELICATE MECHANISM IT IS DESIGNED TO BE HAND SCREWED AND DOES NOT REQUIRE TOOLS [signature: Will Eisner ORDNANCE]
