Thrift and Economy
A text-only notice under the headline 'Thrift and Economy' urges every citizen to cut spending on dress, food and living, and ends with the signatures of the Council of National Defense, headed by six Cabinet secretaries, and its Advisory Commission. A footer converts small savings into national totals ('One cent saved each day by every person ... means $1,000,000 per day'), the poster's tell for aggregate-figure persuasion.
Propaganda techniques used in this poster
- Date
- 1917
- Period
- First World War
- Made by
- Council of National Defense and its Advisory Commission
- Region
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Medium
- Poster
- Issuer type
- State
- Regime
- Wilson Administration
- Leader
- Woodrow Wilson
- Audience
- Domestic public
- Purpose
- Mobilize or secure compliance
- Themes
- Home front, Economy and finance
- Event
- World War I
- Regime
- Wilson administration
- Leader
- Woodrow Wilson
- Source
- Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are
- Source
- U.S. National Archives (NARA), RG 4 (U.S. Food Administration), World War I Posters (NAID 512439), retrieved October 3, 2026
- Rights
- NARA Unrestricted; hosted by owner decision
Council of National Defense and its Advisory Commission. National Archives and Records Administration, 4-P-97.
Text on the object
THRIFT AND ECONOMY The Council of National Defense and the Advisory Commission to the Council, believe that a concerted effort for economy by the people of the Nation will not only go far toward paying America's expenses in the war, but will also reduce consumption of raw and manufactured materials essential to the conduct of the war. The Council urges all to refrain from unnecessary expenditure of every kind, and to bear constantly in mind that only one thing is now of real importance, and that is the winning of the war. The Nation's resources in manpower, money, transportation, foodstuffs, raw materials, and fuel, have already been subjected to heavy strain, and it is the clear duty of every citizen to guard against increasing this strain by a single wasteful act. It is most creditable for everyone--man and woman, boy and girl--to be economical in dress, food, and manner of living. Every evidence of helpful self-denial on the part of all in a time like this is most commendable. This war is more than a conflict between armies; it is a contest in which every man, woman, and child can and should render assistance. Thrift and economy is not only a patriotic privilege; it is a duty. COUNCIL OF NATIONAL DEFENSE The Secretary of War, Chairman The Secretary of Navy The Secretary of Interior The Secretary of Agriculture The Secretary of Commerce The Secretary of Labor ADVISORY COMMISSION OF THE COUNCIL OF NATIONAL DEFENSE [handwritten signatures of the Advisory Commission members, with the small labels Chairman and Director; not transcribed as names] ONE CENT SAVED EACH DAY BY EVERY PERSON IN THE UNITED STATES MEANS $1,000,000 PER DAY ONE LUMP OF SUGAR SAVED EACH DAY BY EVERY PERSON IN THE UNITED STATES MEANS 2,000,000 POUNDS PER DAY
Printed text read in full from the 2000 px scan. The handwritten signatures are not transcribed as names; the labels 'Chairman' and 'Director' beside two of them are printed.
