History of Advertising Trust: O&M wartime book no 2

User icon Taylor Kenkel
26 August 2022
281 items

A file of newspaper adverts from the British government's publicity campaigns on saving coal and other commodities. Topics addressed in the adverts include the saving of fuel for the war effort by domestic and industrial consumers; restrictions on coal allowances; the increase of fuel efficiency in the use of coal, gas, and electricity for heating, lighting, and cooking; and the recruitment of fuel watchers in industry. Other topics covered include the need for overseas trade, including the export of machinery to cover imports of food supplies and raw materials; changes to the provision of clothing coupons, including special provisions for infants and industrial workers; the wearing of white by pedestrians for night-time road safety; air-raid precautions in the home; and post-war recruitment for the Civil Defence Services and the Regular and Territorial Armies. Publicity campaigns represented in the file include Firebomb Fritz; and the Battle for Fuel campaign.


…For safety's sake wear something white
Build up the mining army
extra coupons for manual workers
Gas Act, 1948
The urgent item is gas and electricity
ad in the form of an agenda for Company Directors
Save fuel for battle
…For safety's sake wear something white
Your Fuel watchers and [Fuel Efficiency Bulletins] bring immediate results
Warning. Use less coal gas [and] electricity
No electric fires during peak periods - please!
Stoking is a skilled job
Management must save more fuel this year
An appeal to the commercial instinct
Use less hot water
Maximum war demand [and] economic peactime output
I can't do this in cold water
…For safety's sake wear something white
Cut them out!
Are you using anthracite and coke?