---
title: Our part in the war effort
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/our-part-in-the-war-effort-odt-1941/
description: Text poster of the Office of Defense Transportation with an 'Essential Transportation Worker, Officially Approved, ODT.
section: Collection
---

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3. Our part in the war effort

[![Our part in the war effort, 1941 US poster: Text poster of the Office of Defense Transportation with an 'Essential](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/our-part-in-the-war-effort-odt-1941.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/our-part-in-the-war-effort-odt-1941.jpg)

# Our part in the war effort

Text poster of the Office of Defense Transportation with an 'Essential Transportation Worker, Officially Approved, ODT, Keep 'em Rolling' emblem showing an eagle, a truck, a car and a bus. The block of text says automotive transportation is 'absolutely essential to the winning of the war' and ends with a director's signature. The official seal and the war-winning claim carry the request to keep vehicles and tires in service.

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Transfer](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/transfer/) [Glittering generalities](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/glittering-generalities/)

## Text on the object

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

```
OUR PART IN THE WAR EFFORT
ESSENTIAL TRANSPORTATION WORKER
OFFICIALLY APPROVED
ODT
OFFICE OF DEFENSE TRANSPORTATION
KEEP 'EM ROLLING
AUTOMOTIVE TRANSPORTATION
is absolutely essential to the winning of the war.
GOODS must reach their destinations
and WORKERS must get to their jobs - on time.
SERVICE MEN, in maintaining and
conserving both vehicles and tires, are performing a
most important function in the Nation's war effort.
[signature: Joseph B. Eastman]
DIRECTOR
OFFICE OF DEFENSE TRANSPORTATION
[imprint: LITHO IN U.S.A.]
```

[← Our lines](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/our-lines-rea-beall-1941/) [Our street corners must not be next! →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/our-street-corners-must-not-be-next-1941/)

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- [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)
- [Egyptian alabaster jar inscribed with the name of Xerxes the Great in four languages (Old Persian, Elamite, Babylonian, Egyptian), 486 to 466 BCE](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/xerxes-jar-four-languages-486bce/) (Achaemenid Empire · 0000 · Transfer)
