Theodor Geisel

Dr. Seuss once worked at Signal Corps Photographic Center.  "I noticed a very important name left out," wrote Mike Rodgers of the Signal Corps Museum.  "That would be Theodor Geisel Ted was later known as Dr. Seuss, which I’m sure we’ve all either read his books or had them read to us.

"Ted worked with LTC Frank Capra, and between them they came up with the idea of 'PRIVATE SNAFU' … (which I just purchased on DVD from E-Bay.)

"We’re working on an exhibit to honor Ted and, of course, the Pictorial Center as well."

"PVT SNAFU" was a comic character who taught GIs what NOT to do by constantly fouling up.

Wikipedia provides this information:  "In 1942, Dr. Seuss turned his energies to direct support of the US government's war effort. First, he worked drawing posters for the Treasury Department and the War Production Board. Then, in 1943, he joined the Army and was sent to Frank Capra's Signal Corps Unit in Hollywood, where he wrote films for the United States Armed Forces, including "Your Job in Germany," a 1945 propaganda film about peace in Europe after World War II, "Design for Death," a study of Japanese culture that won the Academy Award for Best Documentary in 1948, and the Private Snafu series of army training films. While in the Army, he was awarded the Legion of Merit. Dr. Seuss's non-military films from around this time were also well-received; Gerald McBoing-Boing won the Academy Award for Best Short Subject (Animated) in 1951."

You can find a number of online information source with a web search for "PRIVATE SNAFU".

(Posted January 28, 2006; updated September 8, 2020.)

 


 

 

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