Civil Defense Supplies

Some of my younger readers might not know - that one of the simple joys of being a teenager in the 1970's was enjoying a 20 year old snack or two -  courtesy of the Department of Civil Defense. We spent many a happy class time at Johnstown High eating up all the leftover hard candy and crackers from the days of preparing for the end of the world. The excitement as the barrels were being opened - because the teacher never let us know ahead of time what was in them - he covered parts of it with a blanket.
And in regards to this picture - you just had to hope you were there when they opened it up as drinking water and not as a commode. And if this was used as a commode - how exactly did they do it? I guess they dug a hole in the ground - otherwise you would need a boost up (hey buddy could you come over here for a second I need a helping hand...) - besides doing a balancing act on top of the rim - when nature calls.

This Fallout Sign (some are still around) meant that the buildings basement had all the supplies you would need to survive a nuclear attack from Russia - which could happen at any minute! I just dreaded the bomb drills at Bheam School - it wasn't so much ducking under your desk (which was fun) - but following that - it would be the dreaded Fire Escape of Death - walking down those see thru steps - swaying in the wind - holding on to the rail -slippery from the sweat pouring out of your hand and your knees shaking with each step down.... But the one thing I could never figure out was - how exactly could hiding under desk - protect you from anything more than a falling ceiling....let alone a nuclear holocaust.