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Object Timeline

1955

  • Work on this object began.

2013

  • We acquired this object.

2014

2015

2025

  • You found it!

Poster, Atoms for Peace, General Dynamics

This is a Poster. It was designed by Erik Nitsche and printed by Lithos R. Marsens and made for (as the client) General Dynamics Corporation. It is dated 1955 and we acquired it in 2013. Its medium is offset lithograph on paper. It is a part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design department.

General Dynamics gave Nitsche an unusual design challenge: to convince a fearful public that atomic energy could be used for the benefit of society through research and technological advancement, without revealing the details of their top-secret projects. His poster campaign, Atoms for Peace, melds influences from modernist art with scientific imagery to evoke a dynamic, innovative, and peaceful future.

This object was donated by Daryl Otte and Arthur Cohen. It is credited Gift of Arthur Cohen and Daryl Otte in memory of Bill Moggridge.

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Its dimensions are

133 × 96.5 cm (52 3/8 × 38 in.)

It is signed

Printed in light brown ink, vertically, lower left: ERIK NITSCHE; in black ink, vertically, lower left corner: PRINTED IN SWITZERLAND; horizontally, lower left corner: LITHOS R. MARSENS, LAUSANNE

It is inscribed

Printed in light brown ink, lower right: Geneva, August 8–20

Cite this object as

Poster, Atoms for Peace, General Dynamics; Designed by Erik Nitsche (Swiss, 1908–1998); Printed by Lithos R. Marsens; Client: General Dynamics Corporation (United States); Switzerland; offset lithograph on paper; 133 × 96.5 cm (52 3/8 × 38 in.); Gift of Arthur Cohen and Daryl Otte in memory of Bill Moggridge; 2013-42-8

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition How Posters Work.

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<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/51689417/ |title=Poster, Atoms for Peace, General Dynamics |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=10 February 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>