---
title: 'Quackpot: The right way to use electrical equipment'
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/quackpot-electrical-equipment-1944/
description: Army Conservation Project No. 116-S-6 sheet. A scowling cartoon duck in a cap juggles sparking test leads while a gyroscope.
section: Collection
---

1. [Home](https://propagandaarchive.org/)
2. [Collection](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/)
3. Quackpot: The right way to use electrical equipment

[![Quackpot: The right way to use electrical equipment, 1944 US poster: Army Conservation Project No](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/quackpot-electrical-equipment-1944.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/quackpot-electrical-equipment-1944.jpg)

# Quackpot: The right way to use electrical equipment

Army Conservation Project No. 116-S-6 sheet. A scowling cartoon duck in a cap juggles sparking test leads while a gyroscope, a bell and a radio set fly apart around it, under a banner 'Carelessness destroys electrical equipment'. Four panels below give handling rules and end 'Help save them!'. The technique is name-calling: carelessness is a ridiculed 'Quackpot' figure.

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

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

## Text on the object

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

```
QUACKPOT
MAINTENANCE
CARELESSNESS DESTROYS ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
U·S·ARMY SAVE CONSERVATION PROGRAM
The Right Way To Use Electrical Equipment
Be sure electrical equipment is in working order before you turn it on. Turn it off when it isn't needed. Use it strictly according to TM instructions.
Most electrical equipment is delicate. Handle it carefully. Keep it clean and dry. Give it adequate lubrication, but be careful not to overlubricate.
Test electrical equipment frequently for overheating. Use only specified tools, parts, and supplies when servicing. Keep contacts clean, cords insulated.
FUSE
Use correct fuses only. Electrical equipment like meters, instruments, radios, telephones and generators is mighty scarce. Take good care of it.
There's a shortage of field wire, assault wire, and dry batteries. HELP SAVE THEM!
[imprint:] ARMY CONSERVATION PROJECT NO. 116-S-6
[imprint:] U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1944—O—608008
```

[← Protection in a Bottle](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/protection-in-a-bottle-1944/) [Quackpot: Treat a truck right, this way →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/quackpot-treat-a-truck-right-1944/)

## 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)