Skip to main content
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Soviet Alchemy: The Wheat-transformer
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Soviet Alchemy: The Wheat-transformer

Artifact ID1970.2.102 (S)
Date ca. January 1964
Medium Paper
DimensionsOverall H 11 5/8 in x W 8 1/4 in (29.5 cm x 21 cm )

Physical Description
Physical DescriptionPrint reproduction of cartoon drawing. German clipping. LBJ pours fuel into a machine to create weapons. A small piece of paper “25.I.64.(SU)” adhered to lower right. Caption: “Sowjetalchimie: Der Weizenumformer [Soviet Alchemy: The Wheat-transformer]”. Additional text at upper left: “E.M. Lang”. Additional text at lower center: “Frei nach dem Deutschen Industrie-Institut [Loosely based on the German Industrial Institute]”. Artist signature lower right: “L.”
Historical NotePresident Kennedy allowed for the trading of wheat with the USSR under the condition that it would provide jobs for US seamen, a policy that continued with President Johnson. However, only 38% of ships carrying wheat were US ships, rather than the 50% agreed-on amount. This led to criticism from maritime trade unions and condemnation for selling to Communist countries.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from the general public to President Johnson during his term in office. It was received by President Johnson personally, until the President donated it to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in 1970.
Credit LineGift of Lyndon Baines Johnson
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Fully
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights are held by individuals or entities other than the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum. The LBJ Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
Person Referenced Nikita Khrushchev (Soviet Union, 1894 - 1971)
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
Not on view
Place Described