---
title: My Machine
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/my-machine-poem-general-cable-1944/
description: A painted portrait of a machinist in an apron beside a lathe, in a shaft of light, with a printed first-person poem in which worker and machine are 'one'.
section: Collection
---

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3. My Machine

[![My Machine, 1944 US poster: A painted portrait of a machinist in an apron beside a lathe, in a shaft of light, with a printed](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/my-machine-poem-general-cable-1944.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/my-machine-poem-general-cable-1944.jpg)

# My Machine

A painted portrait of a machinist in an apron beside a lathe, in a shaft of light, with a printed first-person poem in which worker and machine are 'one'. The poem pairs words such as 'free' and 'Victory' with the worker's output (glittering generalities) and merges the worker's identity with the machine and the war effort (identity fusion).

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Glittering generalities](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/glittering-generalities/) [Identity fusion](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/identity-fusion/)

## Text on the object

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

```
My Machine . . .
This is my machine. Mine!
There are many other machines but this one is mine.
It is a part of me-I am a part of it.
We are one.
Together we are forging the weapons of Victory-
Weapons that will strike the shackles from men who would be free-
As I am free!
With Thy help, O Lord, I will bring forth the most and the best
That is possible from my machine.
For it depends on me.
It multiplies the power of my hands-when my hands are on the job.
It does true work-when my brain is alert to control it.
It does not falter-unless I falter.
It does not stop-unless I forget.
In the lands of my enemies, slaves, under the whip,
Labor at their machines.
But I am free!
I abide by my machine of my own free will.
No man is my master-no man my slave.
And this way is best.
It is!
By unfaltering example we shall prove it is best-
My machine and I.
By argosies of ships and tanks and planes,
In the only language the enemy understands,
We shall prove it.
This is our pledge-mine and my machine's-
Till Freedom's light comes on again.
Suggested by "My Rifle"-
The Creed of a United States Marine
[signature:] Pat Holbrooke
[imprint:] COPYRIGHT 1944-GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION
```

[← Movies tonite? Keep covered during the show and use repellent](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/movies-tonite-keep-covered-fight-the-peril-1944/) [My tank's in the war, too, and I'm running it fair and square to protect your share →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/my-tanks-in-the-war-too-gas-station-1944/)

## More propaganda examples that use the same techniques

- [Gypsum alabaster slab inscribed in cuneiform, from Nimrud (Kalhu), reign of Ashurnasirpal II](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/nimrud-slab-ashurnasirpal-ii-inscription-883bce/) (Neo Assyrian Empire · 0000 · Transfer, Glittering generalities)
- [Colour lithograph of the Latin text of the Res Gestae Divi Augusti on the wall of the temple of Roma and Augustus at Ancyra, with the heading in large letters (Perrot, Guillaume and Delbet, 1872)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/lithograph-res-gestae-ancyra-heading-0014/) (Roman Empire · 0014 · Card stacking, Glittering generalities)
- [Bronze sestertius of Trajan, reverse S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, S C, the emperor on horseback riding down an enemy](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/sestertius-trajan-optimo-principi-0103/) (Roman Empire · 0103 · Testimonial, Glittering generalities)
- [Gold solidus of Constantine I, reverse RESTITVTORI LIBERTATIS](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/solidus-constantine-i-restitutori-libertatis-0313/) (Roman Empire · 0313 · Glittering generalities)
- [Gold solidus of Justinian I, reverse VICTORIA AVGGG with Victory holding a Christogram staff](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/solidus-justinian-i-victoria-avggg-0538/) (Byzantine Empire · 0538 · Transfer, Glittering generalities)
- [The Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I (Royal Museums Greenwich version), oil on panel](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/armada-portrait-elizabeth-i-greenwich-1588/) (England · 1588 · Transfer, Glittering generalities)
- [Medal of Elizabeth I: portrait in a ruff, reverse an ark on stormy waves with SAEVAS TRANQVILLA PER VNDAS (18th-century aftercast of a 1588 model)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/elizabeth-i-ark-medal-aftercast-1588/) (England · 1588 · Transfer, Glittering generalities)
- [Frontispiece to Eikon Basilike, The Pourtraicture of His Sacred Majestie in his Solitudes and Sufferings (Hollar, 1649)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/eikon-basilike-frontispiece-hollar-1649/) (Dutch Republic · 1649 · Transfer, Glittering generalities)