The 'Keep Calm and Carry On: a Visual History' infograph takes a good look at the origin of the popular poster and how it has come to be the phrase plastered on a ridiculous amount of dorm rooms and offices.
Starting as a propaganda poster by the British government for WWII in 1939, the popular phrase was given birth and it gained instant popularity. However, it wasn't until 2000 when the poster was reseen and given renewed life once again. It was then put onto posters, shirts, hats, mugs and a wide range of other objects.
The popular phrase has instigated a myriad of parodies. Some personal favorites featured on the graph are "Keep Calm and Cary Grant," after popular British actor, and "Change Words and Be Hilarious," a parody of being a parody.
Overall, the intensely popular British slogan has majorly taken off and has resulted in hundreds of thousands of items making their way back into the market.
Propaganda History Revisitations
The 'Keep Calm and Carry On: A Visual History' Takes You Back
Trend Themes
1. Rise of Historical Nostalgia - Exploring historical propaganda posters and their impact on contemporary culture presents opportunities for nostalgia-inspired products and campaigns.
2. Parody Merchandise Trend - The proliferation of parodies of the 'Keep Calm and Carry On' phrase highlights the potential for creating humorous and creative merchandise that caters to pop culture references.
3. Revival of Iconic Slogans - The reemergence of the 'Keep Calm and Carry On' slogan demonstrates the potential for breathing new life into iconic slogans from the past and capitalizing on their enduring popularity.
Industry Implications
1. Home Decor - The popularity of the 'Keep Calm and Carry On' poster presents opportunities for the home decor industry to offer a wide range of merchandise featuring the iconic slogan.
2. Fashion and Apparel - The 'Keep Calm and Carry On' trend can lead to innovative fashion and apparel items, such as shirts, hats, and accessories that incorporate the iconic phrase in creative ways.
3. Gift and Novelty - The demand for 'Keep Calm and Carry On' merchandise opens up possibilities for the gift and novelty industry to produce a variety of products that appeal to a broad consumer base seeking nostalgic and humorous items.