I have always found the time during WWII to be an intirguing and inspiring time period—from women who were doing all they could on the home front to the soldiers who fought overseas.

We’re all familiar with at least one famous poster from that time… I’m sure Rosie the Riveter rings a bell! What many of us have never seen though is the campaign launched by the U.S. Government to do none other than warn U.S. Soldiers of the dangers of “loose women” and STDs.

Because sex was not often talked about publicly during that time, WWI saw a venereal disease epidemic where soldiers often contracted and died from STDs. In order to prevent that from happening in WWII, the U.S. Government teamed up with designers to create posters that were plastered all over military barracks.

This campaign to fight STDs used everything from bold colors and striking Hitler images to softer, more emotional images and wording. It’s interesting to see what worked for advertisers back then… take a look compared to what is used in today’s world.

THEN

NOW

Kristen Oaxaca, Senior Graphic Designer