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Binkley and Doinkel PSA 1970s

Posted on March 1, 2013
PSA, Retrontario Exclusives
Comments: 6

Long thought to be lost to the ravages of time, a slice of 1970s PSA glory, aliens Binkley and Doinkel return!

http://www.facebook.com/christinejames1 Christine James

I can’t believe you only just posted this what must be moments ago (it’s still Feb. 28 here in Arizona). This memory shook loose from my subconscious today when a coworker said he keeps a can of WD-40 in his car and I warned him it could explode. I then remembered I learned that from two martians and a poodle back in Toronto circa 1978. Thank you for finding and posting this! Were there any other Binkley and Doinkel PSAs??
- LaryOly
  
  They did one PSA for each of the Hazardous Product Symbols (Poison, Flammable, Explosive, Corrosive).
  
  Those symbols debuted in 1971, and are masterpieces of simple & very effective graphic design.
  
  Unfortunately, I’ve been unable to find any record of which graphic artist designed them, and the 40th anniversary of their launch went completely unnoticed by anyone but me.
JC Sulzenko

It’s amazing to me to hear how many then children now adults remember Binkley and Doinkel and how they taught about hazardous product labelling. This project, to bring the program through puppet shows, to young audiences and families was my favourite creative moment in a long career in the federal government. I am delighted to learn how B and D resonated with so many Canadian children, now adults.
- LaryOly
  
  JC, since you worked on the Binkley & Doinkel project, would you know who was the artist who designed the Hazardous Product Symbols? I know the Symbols were launched in 1971, but I haven’t been able to find out any more information about them.
  
  Considering how iconic those 4 symbols have become, I’m amazed that their 40th anniversary passed completely unnoticed.
LaryOly

The puppets were created by legendary Canadian puppeteer Noreen Young.

She did lots of puppets for TVO shows, like “Today’s Special” and “Calling All Safety Scouts”, as well as for the CBC show “Under the Umbrella Tree”. She also does amazing custom caricature puppets.
- BINKLEY
  
  http://blog.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/blog/posts/rooks-of-hazard-the-true-adventures-of-binkley-and-doinkel/

Binkley and Doinkel PSA 1970s

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