---
title: Only a dope would do this
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/only-a-dope-would-do-this-lion-1941/
description: 'Industrial safety poster: a huge snarling lion with open jaws closes on the head of a man in overalls, under the headline calling the man a ''dope''.'
section: Collection
---

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3. Only a dope would do this

**Content note:** Shows a lion biting the head of a man in overalls, drawn in a violent cartoon style. This object is shown as it was published. [Why](https://propagandaarchive.org/about/#as-it-was)

[![Only a dope would do this, 1941 US poster: Industrial safety poster](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/only-a-dope-would-do-this-lion-1941.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/only-a-dope-would-do-this-lion-1941.jpg)

# Only a dope would do this

Industrial safety poster: a huge snarling lion with open jaws closes on the head of a man in overalls, under the headline calling the man a 'dope'. The label is name-calling aimed at careless workers, and the lion pictures the danger of a machine as a bodily threat (fear-appeal). The slogan runs on below: '...You can't take chances with machines either'.

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Name-calling](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/name-calling/) [Fear appeal](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/fear-appeal/)

## Text on the object

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

```
ONLY A DOPE
WOULD DO THIS...
...YOU CAN'T TAKE CHANCES
WITH MACHINES EITHER
ALWAYS BE CAREFUL!
[signature:] Fisher [uncertain]
[imprint:] LITHO IN U.S.A.
[imprint:] Copyright, Bressler Editorial Cartoons, Co., New York
```

[← Only 3 miles out: "it ALL depends on ME"](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/only-3-miles-out-1941/) [Only the stars are neutral →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/only-the-stars-are-neutral-union-pacific-1941/)

## More propaganda examples that use the same techniques

- [Behistun (Bisotun) rock relief and trilingual inscription of Darius I: the king, two attendants and the bound rebel leaders beneath the winged figure of Ahuramazda](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/behistun-relief-darius-and-rebels-521bce/) (Achaemenid Empire · 0000 · Card stacking, Name-calling, Testimonial). Content note: Shows bound captives before the king, and the inscription records the mutilation and public execution of rebel leaders, as the king's own account.
- [Passional Christi und Antichristi: the emperor kisses the pope's foot (leaf 'Antichristus')](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/passional-christi-antichristi-emperor-kisses-pope-1521/) (Electoral Saxony · 1521 · Name-calling, Card stacking)
- [Anacoana fut pendue sans raison (engraving in Le miroir de la cruelle et horrible tyrannie espagnole)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/anacoana-hanged-miroir-tyrannie-espagnole-1620/) (Dutch Republic · 1620 · Fear appeal, Name-calling). Content note: Engraving of a hanged, bare-breasted Taino woman, burning huts and people being killed by Spanish soldiers.
- [Ondersoeckt de Geesten, ofse van den Duyvel syn, of niet (the De Witt brothers as devils)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/ondersoeckt-de-geesten-de-witt-devils-1672/) (Dutch Republic · 1672 · Scapegoating, Name-calling)
- [The Highlanders Medley, or The Duke Triumphant (A Loyal Song)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/highlanders-medley-duke-triumphant-1746/) (Great Britain · 1746 · Name-calling, Transfer)
- [The North Briton, No. XLV, 23 April 1763 (John Wilkes), opening page](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/north-briton-no-45-wilkes-1763/) (Kingdom of Great Britain · Apr 23, 1763 · Name-calling)
- [The Bloody Massacre perpetrated in King Street Boston on March 5th 1770 by a party of the 29th Regt.](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/revere-bloody-massacre-king-street-1770/) (Province of Massachusetts Bay · Mar 1770 · Name-calling, Card stacking). Content note: Hand-coloured engraving of bloodied dead and wounded colonists after soldiers fired on a crowd.
- [Marche du Dom Quichotte moderne pour la deffence du Moulin des Abus (March of the Modern Don Quixote in Defence of the Mill of Abuses)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/dom-quichotte-moulin-des-abus-1791/) (France · 1791 · Name-calling, Transfer)