Patsy is happy as a little girl can be poster

item details

NamePatsy is happy as a little girl can be poster

ProductionNational Dairy Council; publisher; 1930s; United States

Classificationposters

Materialspaper, ink

Techniquesprinting

DimensionsOverall: 303mm (width), 460mm (height)

Registration NumberGH026504

Credit lineGift of P.J Brocklebank and G.H. Neill with support from the University of Otago, 2023

Overview

This poster promoted a healthy lifestyle for children. It was published by the National Dairy Council in the United States in the 1930s.

Here the message is delivered in rhyme underneath a vibrant illustration of Patsy and Ned racing each other, along with Tippy the dog.

It was possibly displayed in the School of Home Science, University of Otago, during the tenure of American Professor Ann Gilchrist Strong (1875-1957) who led the school from 1924 to 1940.

The previous deans had built the educational programme on a British university scientific foundation, whereas Strong was less theoretical. She developed courses in applied subjects, including food, clothing, household planning and furnishing. She believed that the principles of home science should be applied in every home, and had a particular concern for the health and education of children, and ran a nutrition clinic for Dunedin children and their mothers at the School of Home Science.