Paper, Metal, Bones, Rags and Rubber

Poster entitled ‘Paper, Metal, Bones, Rags and Rubber for salvage’ designed by Fougasse, (Cyril Kenneth Bird, 1887-1965) and used in the salvage campaign, Catalogue ref: INF.13.148

Information campaigns were used to encourage people to make better use of resources at home, especially waste. These campaigns were a bit like the ones we have today to encourage us to be environmentally friendly by saving electricity and recycling rubbish.

Posters, information leaflets and slogans persuaded and reminded everyone that they had a part to play in fighting the war on the ‘Home Front’. ‘Saucepans for Spitfires’ was one of the most famous campaigns. People were asked to give their aluminium pans so that they could be melted down to make parts for aircraft. In fact the government did not need any more aluminium but it believed the appeal meant people felt that they were doing something to defeat Hitler and helped to keep morale up.

Transcript

METAL helps to make TANKS

PAPER helps to make MUNITIONS

RUBBER helps to make TYRES

BONES help to make PLANES

PLEASE PUT OUT ALL YOUR PAPER, METAL, BONES, RAGS AND RUBBER FOR SALVAGE

Return to Home Front 1939-1945 (part two)