Transformative propaganda: opening the archives of the British Safety Council

What do seat belts, life jackets, and anti-jack knife technology have in common?

They were all the subjects of campaigns run by the British Safety Council since its inception in 1957.

James Tye, its charismatic founder and leader for nearly 40 years, created the British Safety Council to bring about a transformation in how Great Britain viewed safety and health.

In 1957, hundreds, if not thousands, of workers were killed in accidents and James marshalled every conceivable technique to save lives, including PR stunts, training, lobbying for better laws and, crucially, what he called 'propaganda', in the form of posters and other communication tools.

This book offers a fascinating and vivid insight into the social and political realities of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s through a wealth of historical documents, press cuttings, correspondence, photographs, and posters.