Metal Fallout Shelter Sign Yellow: A Forgotten Relic of a Bygone Era

The yellow and white metal sign on the Cooper Station Post Office building in New York City is one of thousands scattered throughout the city, largely forgotten relics of the days when the threat of annihilation via a Soviet nuclear attack seemed like a very real and terrifying proposition. The sign, which bears the words 'Fallout Shelter' in bold letters, is a reminder of a bygone era when the threat of nuclear war was ever-present.

In the 1950s and 1960s, New York City had as many as 18,000 nuclear fallout shelters dotted around the city, according to Jeff Schlegelmilch, deputy director at Columbia University's National Center for Disaster Preparedness. These shelters were designed to protect people from the effects of a nuclear blast and subsequent radioactive fallout.

The surge in demand for bomb shelters in some parts of the US, including New York, is a testament to the growing unease about the threat of nuclear war in the face of rising tensions between the US and North Korea. The yellow metal sign on the Cooper Station Post Office building serves as a reminder of the importance of preparedness in the event of a disaster.

The idea of nuclear war has made its way back into public consciousness for the first time since the Cold War, thanks to the war of words between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un. The threat of annihilation via a Soviet nuclear attack may seem like a distant memory, but it is a reminder that the consequences of conflict can be devastating.

The metal sign on the Cooper Station Post Office building serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of preparedness in the face of uncertainty. While the threat of nuclear war may be remote, it is essential to remember the lessons of history and take steps to protect ourselves and our communities from the effects of disaster.

Metal fallout shelter sign yellow