General Dynamics - The Energetic Sea

This original vintage poster, titled Exploring the Universe – The Energetic Sea, was created by Erik Nitsche in 1958 for General Dynamics. The image of a jellyfish moving through layered currents represents the company's research into the energy of ocean currents, tides and waves. It was part of Nitsche's Exploring the Universe series, created to illustrate the scientific and technological research being conducted by General Dynamics. General Dynamics was formed in 1952 as the parent company of the Electric Boat Company and other U.S. defense and technology businesses. The company became involved in aerospace, submarines, electronics, nuclear energy and other advanced technologies. Nitsche's first General Dynamics posters were created for the 1955 International Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy in Geneva. The Exploring the Universe series followed in 1957–1958 and was associated with the second Geneva conference in 1958, presenting General Dynamics' research in fields extending beyond atomic energy. The Energetic Sea was one of the principal images in this second series. Contemporary coverage in Industrial Design specifically identified it as an early design in the Exploring the Universe campaign. The poster was printed in Switzerland by R. Marsens of Lausanne. Erik Nitsche (1908–1998) was a Swiss-born graphic designer who moved to the United States in 1934. In 1955 he became Art Director for General Dynamics and developed the company's corporate identity, advertising, annual reports and celebrated series of posters. His General Dynamics work combined Swiss Modernist graphic design with imagery drawn from contemporary science and technology and remains among his best-known work. 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.