---
title: Austin Curtis, Scientist, Successor to Dr. Carver
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/us-owi-alston-austin-curtis-1943/
description: A multi-panel sheet shows the chemist Austin Curtis with Dr. George Washington Carver in a laboratory, walking together, and a painted cabin.
section: Collection
---

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3. Austin Curtis, Scientist, Successor to Dr. Carver

[![Austin Curtis, Scientist, Successor to Dr. Carver, 1943 US cartoon: A multi-panel sheet shows the chemist Austin Curtis](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/us-owi-alston-austin-curtis-1943.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/us-owi-alston-austin-curtis-1943.jpg)

# Austin Curtis, Scientist, Successor to Dr. Carver

A multi-panel sheet shows the chemist Austin Curtis with Dr. George Washington Carver in a laboratory, walking together, and a painted cabin, with captions on Curtis's work. The tell is testimonial: a named scientist's career is presented as a positive example, in admiring wording ('almost paternal pride', 'great work').

## Propaganda techniques used in this cartoon

[Testimonial](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/testimonial/) [Glittering generalities](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/glittering-generalities/)

## Text on the object

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

```
AUSTIN CURTIS
SCIENTIST
SUCCESSOR TO DR. CARVER
YOUNG CURTIS' ABILITY IS ATTESTED BY THE FACT THAT IN ALL OF DR. CARVER'S LONG YEARS OF RESEARCH, THE NOTED SCIENTIST NEVER BEFORE ACCEPTED AN ASSISTANT.
[Door sign:] DR. CARVER PRIVATE DO NOT DISTURB
THE DRABNESS OF THE SOUTHERN SCENE HAS BEEN GREATLY ALTERED BY THE BRIGHT, CHEERFUL PAINT DR. CURTIS DEVELOPED FROM ORDINARY CLAY AND DISCARDED MOTOR OIL.
WITH ALMOST PATERNAL PRIDE, DR. CARVER GROOMED CURTIS TO CARRY ON THE GREAT WORK HE BEGAN.
HIS ACHIEVEMENTS IN CHEMURGY ARE LITTLE KNOWN, ALTHOUGH HE HAS DEVELOPED ARTISTS COLORS, FACIAL OIL, PAPER, AND INSULATING BOARD FROM THE MAGNOLIA; BREAKFAST FOOD AND SYNTHETIC LEATHER FROM THE PUMPKIN!
[Signed:] Alston OWI
```

[← "Again the Springboard of Civilization!"](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/us-owi-alston-again-the-springboard-of-civilization-1943/) [Benjamin Banneker, Astronomer-City Planner →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/us-owi-alston-benjamin-banneker-astronomer-city-planner-1943/)

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