Anyone struggling to stick to their New Year’s resolutions could perhaps turn to bold motivational posters from the 1920s which encouraged workers to pull their socks up, grin and bear it.
The posters are the epitome of positivity with titles including ‘think before you act’, ‘knowalls never learn’ and ‘self control earns much praise.’
The now-defunct print company Parker-Holladay was one producer of the vibrant placards, which were made on a subscription basis for business owners to display and disseminate to their employees.
Bill Jones, a fictional character created by Parker-Holladay, encouraged punctuality, good self-care, courtesy and teamwork among a raft of other virtues helping to instill best practice and positive mental attitude in the workplace and beyond.
But while they were popular in their day, the striking posters fell from favour following the Wall Street Crash and the ensuing Great Depression of 1929.
Other titles in the collection, from the Mary Evans Picture Library, include ‘Don’t resent being told’, ‘see the other fellow’s side’ and ‘disputes get you nowhere.’
Time to shoot: A poster which would now be seen as controversial, this image encouraged people to seize the moment before it is ‘too late’
‘Think before you act’: The images, which were often used in the workplace, are the epitome of positivity with motivational messages
Gasbag of Rumour: This image warns people not to believe what they hear and to avoid the rumour mill
Big Money Date, a poster from 1928 – however the posters fell out of favour following the Wall Street Crash
Many of the posters told people not to act at the last minute – as ‘delays can be costly’
Workers were encouraged to work alongside one another in a team to help them win and be the best
The now-defunct print company Parker-Holladay was one producer of the vibrant placards, which were made on a subscription basis for business owners to display and disseminate to their employees
Bill Jones, a fictional character created by Parker-Holladay, encouraged punctuality, good self-care, courtesy and teamwork among a raft of other virtues helping to instill best practice and positive mental attitude in the workplace and beyond
While they were popular in their day, the striking posters fell from favour following the Wall Street Crash and the ensuing Great Depression of 1929
Other titles in the collection, from the Mary Evans Picture Library, include ‘Don’t resent being told’, ‘see the other fellow’s side’ and ‘disputes get you nowhere.’