Godwin’s Law — which states that all Internet arguments eventually devolve into Hitler accusations — has officially ventured beyond the web and into the kitchen.
Recently, customers and passers-by have noted that a billboard image of a teapot sold at J.C. Penney stores bears a striking resemblance to Adolf Hitler, as The Telegraph reported.
The billboard advertisement for the product, the Michael Graves Design Bells and Whistles Stainless Steel Tea Kettle, is located on the I-405 freeway near Culver City, Calif. The kettle’s spout is positioned similarly to a Nazi salute and its handle resembles Hitler’s hair.
It has since been taken down and the tea kettle removed from store shelves and the company’s website, according to The Blaze.
Users of the website Reddit were among the first to publicize the similarities.
“He even has his right arm extended,” wrote one user.
Another wrote, “I’m a little Nazi, short and stout,” modifying a well-known nursery rhyme.
The Hitler kettle joins a growing list of everyday, unexpected objects to be likened to the genocidal German dictator. In 2011, The Telegraph reported that a previously nondescript home in Swansea, Wales also resembled Hitler, resulting in immense social media traffic in images of the home.
Despite the association with one of history’s most odious figures, however, most actual customers do not appear to have noticed. Reviews of the product on the J.C. Penney website remain free of any references to Hitler — for now.
“I can not say enough good things about this. If you want functional art you need to buy this kettle!” user andreafalls raved.
But user jeffman disagreed.
“First the good, the kettle is gorgeous and shiny. Looks great on your stove or just sitting in your kitchen. However the quality is extremely poor,” he said.
This article has been updated to reflect the fact that J.C. Penney has since taken down its controversial billboard and removed the tea kettle from stores.
