Pamphlets, brochures, billboards and bus ads were just some of the methods employed by the U.S. government to publicize the dangers of fallout, the importance of bomb shelters and what radio station to tune to when the air raid sirens started wailing (640/1240 - CONELRAD). Other approaches included broadcast Public Service Announcements (PSAs), spoken word record albums (LPs), short instructional films and mass street theater (e.g. the Operation Alert shelter exercises that emptied Times Square once a year from 1954 through 1961).

To compliment the visual aspect of the Nuclear Families exhibition, CONELRAD created a special sound recording using some carefully chosen nuggets from its audio archives. This "medley" of aural images from the Cold War, provided exhibit attendees an opportunity to experience yet another facet of the Golden Age of Homeland Defense.

TITLE	DESCRIPTION	TIME
Stars for Defense	Office of Civil & Defense Mobilization (OCDM) transcription, 1960 - featuring Jay Jackson, Leo A. Hoegh, and the Crewcuts	2:00
Stars for Defense was a long-running public service program offered to radio stations by the Office of Civil Defense (and its successor agencies). It was an unusual blend of show business and survival: Celebrities would plug their latest project and then a message about fallout shelters or CONELRAD or wallet-sized "Preparedness Cards" would follow. And then, it was back to the music.
Design Slanting	Emergency Broadcasting System (EBS) PSA, 1968	0:30
This PSA was included on a record album offered to radio stations by Civil Defense. Who exactly the target demographic was for this particular track is anyone's guess.
You CAN Beat the A-Bomb	Civil Defense film, 1950	0:52
Numerous Civil Defense films were produced during the Cold War and this early example depicts a family preparing for imminent attack... in their basement. You don't have to "see" this motion picture to appreciate its absurdity.
Shelter Means Survival	Stars for Defense, 1961 - featuring Jay Jackson and Frank B. Ellis	1:41
Another visit from the Stars for Defense crew. This time Civil Defense director Ellis discusses shelter pamphlets.
Duck and Cover	Civil Defense film, 1951	0:43
The most infamous of Civil Defense films: Duck and Cover foisted terror in the form of a goofy cartoon turtle on millions of grade school children. The horror.
One Small Chinese Schoolboy	Stars for Defense, 1965 - featuring Jay Jackson	1:24
Stars for Defense returns with host Jay Jackson's tale of a community pulling together to stock a fallout shelter.
Pedro - Do You Know What To Do?	CONELRAD PSA, circa 1953	1:03
CONELRAD (a radio frequency designed to thwart enemy bombers and provide civil defense information) was a confusing concept to impart to the public. This bizarre PSA most likely added to the confusion.
Where The People Are...	Stars for Defense, 1965 - featuring Jay Jackson	1:06
Jay Jackson discusses building fallout shelters into new schools.
If The Bomb Falls	Civil Defense instructional LP, 1961	2:39
Not exactly a party record, this TOPS records release describes, in excruciating detail, what one would need in a fallout shelter. "By all means provide some tranquilizers to ease the strain and monotony of life in a shelter..."
Over 13,000 Architects and Engineers	Emergency Broadcasting System PSA, 1968	0:29
Another PSA lobbying for fallout shelters in schools.
My Own Shelter Cost $212.00	OCDM PSA, 1959 - featuring Dennis James & Leo A. Hoefgh	1:00
Director Hoegh leads by example and boasts of his thrifty family fallout shelter.
Our National Language	Emergency Broadcasting System PSA, 1968	0:59
Remember the acronym "CSP" - it could save your life.
Sounds Pretty Complicated	CONELRAD PSA, 1953	0:29
There will be a quiz on how CONELRAD functions as you exit the exhibition.
What To Do During A War	Operation Alert 1961, field recording	2:24
This is from a recording of an actual CONELRAD broadcast that aired during the 1961 Operation Alert, an annual Civil Defense exercise that took place from 1954 through 1961. "You may notice a weakening of your broadcast signal"
Beyond The Sign Itself	Stars for Defense, 1965 - featuring Jay Jackson and Roy Bloch & His Orchestra	1:17
One more encore from the Stars for Defense crew. This time host Jay Jackson encourages listeners to think what's behind the familiar black and yellow fallout shelter sign (other than canned water and stale crackers).