The adverts of the 1940s can be neatly divided into two broad categories. First, as the world was consumed by war, governments harnessed the best advertising talent to boost morale and promote policies on the home front through powerful propaganda. Then came the post-war period, and a series of iconic consumer ads that reflected the upbeat and hopeful spirit of the times.
To bring you some of the best examples of both, we've talked to experts from across today's design and advertising industries. They recall the impact and ingenuity of the best 1940s ads, and explain why, much like the best logos, each design worked so well.
