Cartoons: Obviously Oblivious

Cluelessness is as American a tradition as apple pie. Here are some of our favorite cartoons of the truly oblivious.

 

Cartoon
“There’s something funny about the air currents around here.”
Huffine
September 29, 1945

 

 

Cartoon
Chon Day
June 30, 1945

 

 

Cartoon
“I wonder which way the wind is blowing?”
Bill King
February 17, 1945

 

 

Cartoon
“I don’t think that will be necessary, Dobbs!”
Keller
January 13, 1945

 

 

Cartoon
“Dear, I do believe someone is at the door.”
Pearson
March 23, 1946

 

Cartoons: Caution, Cartoonists At Work!

Some of our favorite cartoons from the pages of our magazine with a shirking-work theme:

“Well, it looks like somebody is catching up on his paperwork!”

 "Well, it looks like somebody is catching up on his paperwork!" from Jan/Feb 2005
From Jan/Feb 2005

Don’t you hate when the boss shows up at an inopportune time? I think they have radar for honing in on this sort of thing. The radar doesn’t work when you’re plugging away, just when you relax (okay, goof off).

“Don’t play games with me, Henderson. I know you can hear me. Get on the red-eye back tonight. We need you for the presentation in the morning!”

"Don't play games with me, Henderson. I know you can hear me. Get on the red-eye back tonight. We need you for the presentation in the morning!" from Jul/Aug 2007
From Jul/Aug 2007

Whoa—talk about radar. Don’t think you can get out of work by going on vacation, either. I knew I shouldn’t have picked up that seashell!

“I heated the thermometer next to a light bulb so my wife wouldn’t send me to work.”

"I heated the thermometer next to a light bulb so my wife wouldn't send me to work."  from Mar/Apr 1997
From Mar/Apr 1997

It isn’t just the boss you have to work around sometimes. A day off with the dog, TV, and a bowl of popcorn is just the ticket—even if one has to be devious to pull it off.

“I’ve decided to get up and go to work after all. I’ll call in sick some other day when I feel better.”

"I've decided to get up and go to work after all. I'll call in sick some other day when I feel better." from Mar/Apr 1997
From Mar/Apr 1997

We are an odd species: work when we don’t feel well and stay home when we do. I guess this guy didn’t want to waste a perfectly good sick day.

“His new motto is never put off until tomorrow what you might be able to get out of altogether.”

"His new motto is never put off until tomorrow what you might be able to get out of altogether."  from Sept/Oct 2001
From Sep/Oct 2001

Some folks just have it down to an art form.

“Could you at least burn a candle at one end?”

"Could you at least burn a candle at one end?"  from Mar/Apr 2005
From Mar/Apr 2005

Of course, if you really want to master the art of getting out of work, just study a teenager. Have a safe and happy (Getting-Out-of) Labor Day!