Posters are something that has played an important role during history. They have been used for everything from propaganda to news and promotions of different events. Some posters have forever etched themselves in our minds, posters that you are highly likely to come across if you visit a poster store. We will now look at 11 of the most iconic posters ever made.
- Uncle Sam
This poster was made in 1917 by the American illustrator James Montgomery Flagg. It was used for the recruitment of soldiers, both in World War I and World War II. Veteran Walter Botts is supposed to have been the man behind the pose in the poster. The face is said to be a modified version of Flaggs own face. This is a poster that millions of people around the world recognize to this day and is therefore one of the most iconic posters ever made!
- Lunch atop a Skyscraper
The photo that was to become this world-famous poster was taken by Charles C. Ebbets in 1932. It depicts 11 construction workers having lunch break on a cross beam high up in the air during the construction of Rockefeller Center in New York. This is not a poster for those of us who are afraid of heights! Just looking at it is enough to give us vertigo!
- Che Guevara Red
This famous image of Che Guevara was made in 1967 by Irish artist Jim Fitzpatrick. It is based on the famous 1960 photography of the revolutionary by Alberto Korda. It has since then become one of the most recognizable posters in the world.
- Keep Calm and Carry on
This poster has one of the most recognizable motifs in history and has been the subject of numerous offspring throughout the years. Its origin is less known though. The fact is that it was originally created as a motivational poster to boost public morale in Great Britain during the Blitz. In the end it was never used, and it was not until about 60 years later when it was rediscovered that it became as well known as it is today.
- Jaws
Steven Spielberg’s Jaws from 1975 is a real horror classic. However, it is not only the movie that has become world famous, but also its poster. It was designed by Roger Kaste and really manages to capture our fear of the unknown into one image. Just looking at this poster was enough for many of us to avoid the ocean. Something tells us that the amount of swimming pools around the world sharply increased because of this movie and its poster.
- Rumble in the Jungle
The Rumble in the Jungle is one of the most famous, important, and iconic sporting events of all time. It was held in the city of Kinshasa in what was then named Zaire. Zaire is today known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The event took place in 1974 and was a World Heavyweight Championship boxing match between the undefeated world heavyweight champion at the time George Foreman and Muhammad Ali. The match lasted until the eight round when Ali knocked Foreman out and became the new world champion. This was the poster used to promote the event, and it has an undisputable place on this list.
- Hope
This poster depicting former president of the United States, Barack Obama, is one of the most iconic images in recent history. It was designed by Shepard Fairey and became known worldwide in the run-up to the American presidential election of 2008. As we all know, the election ended with Obama becoming the first African American president in history, an event of an importance that this poster captures in a great way!
- Lord Kitchener wants you
Not everybody knows this, but this poster was the inspiration behind the Uncle Sam-poster at the first place of our list. It was made in 1914 and distributed to encourage young British men to sign up for the army in World War I. The poster depicts Lord Kitchener who was one of the most decorated military officers in the UK at the time. Immediately after its release, the number of volunteers who signed up for the army increased significantly.
- Rosie the riveter
This is another wartime poster which has become famous all over the world to this day. It was created by the American War Council to get more women into the workforce while the men were fighting abroad. It especially focused on getting women to take on factory jobs which could support the war effort. Just like many other wartime posters, it appealed to the patriotism of American women.
- Abbey Road
Abbey Road was the eleventh studio album by the British rock band the Beatles. It was released in 1969 and became an instant classic. As famous as the album itself is its album cover. It depicts the four band members walking on a pedestrian crossing on Abbey Road in London. To this day, this album has made Abbey Road one of the most famous streets in the world. Every year, thousands of visitors flock here to get a view of the famous crossing. It can even be viewed via live cam online. If you are a fan of the Beatles and visit London, then this sight is a must see!
- Muhammad Ali vs. Sonny Liston
Here comes yet another poster involving Muhammad Ali. It depicts Ali during his World Heavyweight Championship boxing match against Sonny Liston. It was during the weigh-in before this match that Ali coined the famous term “float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.” It was the second fight between the two, and it ended with Ali knocking Liston out in the first round. Ali, who was then called Cassius Clay, also won the first match between the two after Liston gave up in the seventh round. The two matches are said to have been two of the most watched ones in the history of boxing.
