Good Health Advice from the U.S. Government via Cool Vintage Posters, Circa 1940s: A visual essay

by Liz Publika

Title: Eat Fruit, Be Healthy

Published: New York: Federal Art Project, between 1936-1938

Summary: Poster promoting proper dietary habits, showing stylized fruit.

Title: Milk — For Health, Good Teeth, Vitality, Endurance, Strong Bones

Published: Ohio: WPA Art Program, 1940

Summary: Poster for Cleveland Division of Health promoting milk, showing a large bottle of milk next to couples smiling, playing golf, tennis, and two babies.

Title: Keep Your Teeth Clean

Published: New York: Federal Art Project, between 1936-1938

Summary: Poster promoting good oral hygiene, showing stylized face, toothbrush and toothpaste.

Title: Wash Your Hands Before Touching Your Eyes

Published: Ohio: District of Columbia Society for the Prevention of Blindness, between 1941-1945

Summary: Poster of a raccoon with one paw in a lake, with the caption "Wash your hands before touching your eyes."

Title: Report Dog Bites

Published: Ohio: WPA Art Program,1941.

Summary: Poster for the Cleveland Division of Health encouraging dog bite victims to report dog bites to the proper authorities, showing dog and injured hand.

Title: Swim for Health in Safe and Pure Pools

Published: Ohio: WPA Art Program, 1940.

Summary: Poster for Cleveland Division of Health promoting swimming as healthy exercise, showing a man and a woman in a swimming pool.

Note* All images are in the public domain via Library of Congress