A couple of nights ago, Anne and I spent over an hour watching cold war propaganda and education films on the Internet Archive. Those movies are just fascinating to me, and I've often wondered what it would have been like to live in the world portrayed within them, as opposed to the way the world actually was at the time.
I think there is a sinister beauty in all the propaganda posters from World War II, especially the Soviet designs, so when I saw these Retro Videogame Propaganda posters at Think Geek, I wanted to insert coins for victory:
There are four five different posters including this one. I won't tell you what they are, because I wouldn't want to rob you of the joy of discovery when you click on the thumbnail and realize what game they're referencing.
I love these posters, I’m sure the soviet designs inspired Shepard Fairey (Obey Giant) as well. Thanks for sharing Wil.
On a related note, ever visit (or want to visit) the American Classic Arcade Museum (and attached world’s largest arcade?) – http://www.classicarcademuseum.org/
I think the Cold War era in general is pretty fascinating, but I have to wonder if people were really taken in by the obvious propaganda pieces?
Oh no, the MCP is good! The MCP gives us cycles! All hail the MCP!!
Cold war propaganda always makes me think of 1984; so do these posters
Wil, you may want to know that the original creator of these posts new posters to his blog every week or so. Here’s a link for you.
The Joust one is just all sorts of awesome. It would be great on a tee-shirt.
There are actually five posters. 🙂 I bought a set last night that I’m splitting with some friends. Love the classic style and old feel of them, especially with TRON. Imagine these posters secretly placed in back alleys of the cluster where Flynn crashed his stolen Recognizer!
I don’t think anyone fell for all of it, but I know some of us fell for some of it. As a kid at the tail end of the cold war, I was raised to think of Russian as a very harsh, unpleasant language; I’ve since discovered that it can actually be quite beautiful. example:
I only recognized 3/5 (mostly because I wasn’t paying careful attention) but I was happy that they had one of my favorites – Joust!
Nothing like battling rivals on a giant flying ostrich while pterodactyls fly overhead to kill you.
In my mind, birds make that screeching noise when they stop running.
There.. are…. FOUR posters!
I am so proud to be old, I knew what it was for long before looking at the poster! Thanks for sharing those gems, I would love to have them up on my walls!
Too late, Wil. I read this post, including your comment about not spoiling anything, refreshed Google Reader, and saw that io9 had a new post with all five posters displayed. My inner geek just squeed a little.
Oh, posters! How I love thee!!! Especially the one featuring the menacing trucks!
Yipes, I only got 1/5 on my first look at these and then 4/5 after a few more tries (I can’t count the last one since I saw it written here beforehand but I probably would’ve figured it out anyway). Hmm, considering how much time I spent in arcades in the late 70s and early 80s I thought I’d have done better at first glance, but oh well, those posters rock!
However, I think one more featuring apples and a little clown would have vastly exceeded the normal parameters of radness. 🙂
Wil, I’m gonna do you a solid. I’m gonna introduce you to your new favorite book and movie. Are you ready? Here it is: http://www.firstshowing.net/2010/06/18/wb-picks-up-ernie-clines-new-geek-novel-ready-player-one/
You’re welcome.
A+++ I think I need this one from the designer’s page. I’m surprised this isn’t one ThinkGEEK picked up.
http://www.zazzle.com/arcade_game_propaganda_poster_sixth_in_a_series-228599323523268120
I think “Chuck” would like one of these Tron posters. Maybe as a gift from Awesome’s dad.
Those are too awesome.
on man, that’s the most awesomeness awesome that was ever awesome. In a word.. rad man, rad….
The computer is your friend. Hail the computer. Remember happiness is mandatory. If you’re not happy report for termination.
Wow. I’m thrilled that you like them. I’m even more blown away that you took the time to Tweet and blog about my posters. Thanks again for the kind words.
Sorry about that google account post. I thought my name would appear instead of the link. Anyway, thanks again. I do appreciate the post.
Happy, happy, joy, joy!
I get the feeling based on “End of Line” appearing in about 3 posts now that Wil is getting excited over the tron game/movie.
There are actually four posters. 🙂 I bought a set last night that I’m splitting with some
book publishers friends. Love the classic style and old feel of them, especially with TRON. Imagine these posters secretly placed in back alleys of the cluster where Flynn crashed his stolen Recognizer!
Oh, wow, these are just awesome!
I now must go out and watch the commercials from “Starship Troopers”.
Join the fight!
Oh, awesome! I love it!
I think my favorite is the Donkey Kong one.
Awesome, my wife and I JUST watched Tron last night. It was the first time she had ever seen it, and it had been almost 20 years for me. I loved it and so did she!