War Whimsy:

Vintage tin lithograph toy duck: vintage metal skates from Union Hardware, Torrington, Connecticut; WW2 inert artillery projectiles.

On August 29, 1949, the Soviet Union detonated its first nuclear device at a remote site in Kazakhstan, signaling a new phase in the Cold War. By the early 1950s, schools across the United States were training students to dive under their desks and cover their heads. The infamous duck-and-cover drills simulated what should be done in case of an atomic attack.

“During a surprise nuclear attack, drop immediately and cover exposed skin against blast and thermal effects. A log, a large rock, or any depression in the earth’s surface provides some protection. Close eyes. Protect exposed skin from heat by putting hands and arms under the body. Remain facedown until the blast wave passes and debris stops falling. Stay calm, check for injury, check weapons, and prepare to continue the mission.”

—-U.S. Army Field Manual, Chapter 4