As the keystone of the American “Arsenal of Democracy,” Pennsylvania factories worked day and night producing war materiel, cq and Pittsburgh’s men, women and children earned a reputation for their “can do” spirit that helped win World War II.
In addition to ships, guns and munitions, our region also played a role in creating one of the most iconic wartime figures — a no-nonsense worker named “Rosie the Riveter.”
In 1943, local freelance artist J. Howard Miller developed a poster featuring a Westinghouse Electric war worker rolling up her sleeves to help the Allied effort as part of the “We Can Do It” campaign. At the same time, lyrics of a song titled “Rosie the Riveter” spread across the country.
Mr. Miller’s powerful imagery may have inspired Norman Rockwell to create his own “Rosie the Riveter” for the cover of the Saturday Evening Post.
The song and famous image led to widespread popularization of the figure, as millions of “Rosie the Riveters” throughout the country entered the workforce for the first time, including 30,000 women working at factories and mills in Pittsburgh.
Over the years, Mr. Miller’s “We Can Do It” image and “Rosie the Riveter” became permanently linked, and the powerful image and slogan were redeployed as a feminist icon. The unforgettable poster, showing a Westinghouse worker flexing her muscle, remains a symbol of America’s hardworking spirit to this day.
Visitors to the Heinz History Center can see a lifelike museum figure of Rosie the Riveter as part of the new major exhibition, “We Can Do It! WWII.” On Saturday, visitors can also celebrate Pittsburgh history in style at the third annual Vintage Pittsburgh event, presented in partnership with the Pittsburgh Vintage Mixer.
Outside of the museum, visitors can take photos with the Zippo Car, a re-created version of the 1947 Chrysler Saratoga vehicle used by the Bradford, Pa.-based Zippo Co. to promote its lighters across the nation following World War II. For more information, visit www.heinzhistorycenter.org.
First Published: May 7, 2015, 4:00 a.m.
