Forensic Research Archive of Manipulation and Exploitation
Penicillin saves soldiers' lives!, 1941 US poster: Drawing of a smiling patient in a hospital bed reading a magazine, under

Penicillin saves soldiers' lives!

Drawing of a smiling patient in a hospital bed reading a magazine, under the headline Penicillin, the new life-saving drug. The red panel says men who might have died will live if the viewer gives this job everything, tying output to individual lives.

Propaganda techniques used in this poster

TransferFear appeal
Date
1941
Period
Second World War
Made by
Issuer not named
Region
North America
Country
United States
Medium
Poster
Issuer type
Mixed
Regime
Roosevelt Administration
Leader
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Audience
Domestic public
Purpose
Mobilize or secure compliance
Themes
War and the military, Health, Labor
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)
Issuer not named. National Archives and Records Administration, RG 44, 44-PA-1505 (NAID 515170).

Text on the object

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

Penicillin
THE NEW LIFE-SAVING DRUG
Saves Soldiers' Lives!
Men who might have died
will live...if YOU
Give this job Everything You've got!

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