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
- Date
- 1944
- Period
- Second World War
- Made by
- U.S. Army, Army Conservation Program
- Region
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Medium
- Poster
- Issuer type
- Military
- Regime
- Roosevelt Administration
- Leader
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Audience
- Own forces
- Purpose
- Mobilize or secure compliance
- Themes
- War and the military, Science and technology
- 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)
U.S. Army, Army Conservation Program. National Archives and Records Administration, RG 44, 44-PA-1601 (NAID 515266).
Text on the object
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
