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Object Timeline

1956

  • Work on this object began.

2013

  • We acquired this object.

2014

2015

2025

  • You found it!

Poster, 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 1956 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.

Erik Nitsche had an unusual design challenge at General Dynamics: 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

H x W: 132.1 × 95.4 cm (52 in. × 37 9/16 in.)

Cite this object as

Poster, 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; H x W: 132.1 × 95.4 cm (52 in. × 37 9/16 in.); Gift of Arthur Cohen and Daryl Otte in memory of Bill Moggridge; 2013-42-12

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

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-6.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/51689427/ |title=Poster, General Dynamics |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=25 April 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>