A doodle

This drawing appeared in the Evening Standard on Tuesday 5th October 1937 on the page headed “Doodles”.

“They are still doodling, Doctors and clergymen, clerks and bus-drivers, novelists and housewives — their doodles flow into the Evening Standard in an ever-rolling stream.

“They show England caught in two minds. One mind conscious, alert, listening on the telephone, following a conversation or a lesson or the proceedings of a committee, dutifully performing life’s routine. The other mind casual, imaginative, individual; finding its barely conscious expression in “doodling,” in committing to scraps of paper its odd rag-bag of thoughts and memories.

“Many people reveal in doodles the true selves which hardly break the surface of their every-day life. An experienced psychologist examines all the doodles selected for publication in the Evening Standard and draws the latent meaning from their seemingly meaningless fancies.

“HALF-A-GUINEA is paid for each doodle used, and an additional TEN GUINEAS paid for the most interesting doodle of the week.”

The picture shows Dr Halliday Sutherland’s doodle… look at it carefully… what do you think it revealed about his true self which hardly broke the surface of his every-day life? Here’s what the experienced psychologist at the Evening Standard had to say:

“Doctor’s doodle, done by Dr Halliday Sutherland, the well-known tuberculosis specialist, while waiting for a case paper. Dr Sutherland has published, besides many medical works, a charming autobiography The Arches of the Years.

“Analysis: A quick and versatile mind. Interested in people but has a somewhat scornful view of them and does not suffer fools gladly. A direct and masculine temperament, impatient and rather restless, interested in seeking out new paths. Adventurous and fond of country life.”

So now you know!