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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Why Did Perpetual Motion Have to Be Perfected...
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Why Did Perpetual Motion Have to Be Perfected...

Artifact ID1973.1.1214
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist (United States, 1916 - 1980)
Gifter
Date ca. May 1967
Medium Ink and applied shading on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 10 3/8 in x W 14 1/2 in (26.4 cm x 36.8 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ rides on a Merry-Go-Round (“Vietnam”) with three other men (identifiable as Nguyen Cao Ky, Mao Tse-Tung, Ho Chi Minh) who are shooting into the air. Another man ("USSR Aid") rides with an armload of bombs. Caption: “Why Did Perpetual Motion Have to Be Perfected in MY Day?”. Artist signature lower left: "Fischetti”. A small piece of paper “Publishers Newspaper Syndicate, 1967” adhered to lower left. A small piece of paper “Fischetti” adhered to upper left.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower right: "For President Johnson with warm regards - John Fischetti 6-27-67". Handwritten at lower left: [red] “1442”. Handwritten at lower left: “May 28, 1967”.
Historical NoteIn August 1964, US ships were seemingly attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin, leading to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution that allowed President Johnson to take military action. In February 1965, Johnson authorized Operation Rolling Thunder to bomb North Vietnam and in March, 3500 Marines were deployed in Vietnam. Over 1965, President Johnson escalated the conflict to a full-scale war and over 1967, there were 500,000 American troops in Vietnam. Nguyen Cao Ky was the prime minister of South Vietnam.
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, until the President donated it to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in 1973.
Credit LineGift of Lyndon Baines Johnson
National Archives Catalog CollectionLyndon B. Johnson Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 192413)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from the General Public (National Archives Identifier 189698395)
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 Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
Person Referenced Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam, 1890 - 1969)
Person Referenced Nguyen Cao Ky (Vietnam, 1930 - 2011)
Person Referenced Mao Tse-tung (China, 1893 - 1976)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place Described
VietnamUSSR
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