Drunkenness is a Cause of Defects. 1986

This Soviet poster, “Drunkenness is a Cause of Defects” (“Пьянство — причина брака”), was created by artist V. M. Zyrianov in 1986. The design features a black gear with a white vodka bottle at its center, labeled VODKA, while a blue gear looms above it, symbolizing machinery in motion. The stark contrast of colors and shapes conveys the idea that alcohol disrupts industrial processes and leads to mistakes, accidents, and defective products. The slogan at the bottom reinforces the message, directly linking drunkenness to poor-quality output. This poster is part of the Soviet Union’s anti-alcohol campaign of the 1980s, which sought to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking for both workers and society at large.