A Short History of Self-Expression Through Rear Window Graphics

A Short History of Self-Expression Through Rear Window Graphics

It all began with the bumper sticker. This method of self-expression began a long time ago. It was an easy, inexpensive way to let people know who you are planning to vote for, the fact that you hate fat chicks or which college your money and your teen attends.

With just a few words and perhaps a picture, a driver tells the world what matters to him or her. On a long or boring drive, they can be quite entertaining. Sometimes, rear bumper stickers aren't so obvious. It took a bit of thought to understand, "I'll keep my money and my guns, and you can keep the change!"

The Late 1980's

It didn't take long before Americans started adding identifiers to their rear windows. The one we most remember from the late 1980's is the yellow diamond caution sign, "Baby on Board." Before long, there were caution signs making fun of the original - "Mafia on Board" and "Dangerous Driver on Board." I wonder if someone has done the statistics to prove how many infants were saved by this little yellow sign. The very idea that a hostile motorist would stop his savage attack on a neighboring car because of this sign is amazing!

Garfield Was King in the 1990's

Dear little Garfield, along with his suction-cup feet, was a fixture of the 1990's. Who can forget a tubby little cat hanging on to the back glass for dear life! I was never sure of the message, however. Were they trying to say, "We like Fat Cats!" or "We Brake for Lasagna" or even "Get Me Outta' Here, This Driver's Insane!"

Baseballs and the Early 2000's

In the early 2000s, cars added a new wrinkle to the idea of rear glass enhancement. Suddenly, there were baseballs sticking out of the rear window of cars, trucks and SUV's. This baseball was surrounded by a shatter decal that suggested that the baseball had hit the car window and it was stuck in the window glass. I remember seeing folks trying to figure out how the "accident" had happened! Once everyone figured it out, this fad bit the dust.

Stick-Figure Family Window Decals (SFFWD's)

Expressing one's self takes a new turn with SFFWD's. We've all seen them; the stick figures start with Dad, Mom and the individual children's names. Sometimes pets are included. Since these stick figures aren't "against" something or "for" something, it's hard to evaluate them. It doesn't say anything about one's cultural background or one's character.

A friend confidently told me that cars with SFFWD's have someone with early-onset Alzheimer's in the family. Why? So he/she would be able make sure that everyone has been collected before driving off. Frankly, I'm having a hard time with that explanation. But who knows? It may mean that "my family is bigger, better, cuter than yours. These seem to be very fashionable with soccer moms.

POST COMMENT

Keep Yourself Hooked To Your Iphone With Advanced Applications Efficient Arc Welding Tips And Techniques For Beginners An Introduction in Choosing the Best Sprinkler Repaid Company – Tips and Guidelines for Beginners (Making the Most Out of Your Money) "Self-impetus can accelerate career growth" Seo Article Writing For Beginners Cheaper Ways to Pamper Yourself Get Younger Skin, Longer Nails and Soft Touchable Feet for $1 How To Move Self-moving Service... Make Your Christmas Memorable Allowing a Unique Gift to Yourself Wood Working Plans For Beginners Two Effective Ways to Catch Crappie for Beginners Rid Yourself Of Split Ends The Ups and Downs of Working on a Positive Self-Image: Feel Good About Yourself Naturally (Series 1 of 3) Would it be possible to boost your own money awareness, in order to think yourself rich?