Make Haste Safely

This striking World War II safety poster delivers a sobering reminder of the consequences of carelessness in wartime industry. A young worker, his head heavily bandaged from an accident, stares directly at the viewer with a stern, haunting expression. The accompanying message reads: “America is the loser, too—when avoidable accidents stop production. The U.S. Army says ‘Make Haste Safely.’” The poster connects individual injury not just to personal loss, but to the nation’s war effort, reinforcing the idea that safety in the workplace was as critical to victory as combat on the front lines.Produced for the U.S. Army during the war years, this poster was part of a widespread campaign to reduce industrial accidents in factories, shipyards, and assembly lines. With demand for war materials at an all-time high, every worker was essential, and injuries threatened both production schedules and national morale. The bold use of color, dramatic portraiture, and direct language made the message unmistakable to its intended audience.Jes Wilhelm Schlaikjer (1897-1982) began his professional career while still in high school painting for a Chicago newspaper. He continued his studies at Ecole Des Beaux Arts as well as the School of the Art Institute, where he studied under Robert Henri. His paintings graced the covers of many of the popular magazines of the time including, Scribner's, Collier's, American Legion Monthly, Redbook, Woman's Home Companion, and Cosmopolitan. He taught at the National Academy of Design, and later at the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts. In 1942, he was recruited by the United States War Department as a poster artist. He created many posters with a variety of themes during the war, which are highly sought after by collectors. He also served as a portraitist for military leaders including, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Douglas MacArthur, and George S. Patton. These portraits now hang in the National War College in Washington, D.C. Schlaikjer is most known for his many recruitment posters during World War II. His academic painterly style was popular at the time and helped convey the realism of the messaging.This is an Original Vintage Poster, it is not a reproduction. This poster is conservation mounted, linen backed and in excellent condition. We guarantee the authenticity of all our posters.