Bumper sticker
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A bumper sticker is an adhesive label or sticker with a message, meant to be attached to the bumper of an automobile for the purpose of being read by the driver or passengers in other vehicles. They can be political, humorous, or in support of a team or other organizations. They may promote or attack a particular stand on any issue. Most bumper stickers are about 3 inches by 12 inches and are often made of vinyl. Due to the movement of a vehicle, they have to stick very well. However, there are some "easy to remove" bumper stickers and magnetic bumper stickers, occasionally made to be used as pranks by putting them on someone else's bumper. One way to remove a sticker is with penetrating oil. Bumper stickers are a popular way of showing support for a candidate for a governmental seat and become prevalent during election years.
Bumper stickers could not predate the introduction of the automobile bumper; the Ford Model T lacked bumpers to which bumper stickers could be conveniently attached, but the Ford Model A, introduced in 1927, had them. One online source[1] (http://www.bumprstickrz.com/bumperstickerhistory.html) credits the current bumper sticker to Forest P. Gill, a silkscreen printer from Kansas City. The first bumper stickers appeared shortly before World War II; they were flag-like, and attached to the bumper by wires. Gill replaced the wire attachments with pressure sensitive adhesive, and as a result bumper stickers became more widespread and practical.
External links
- The Bumper Sticker Compendium (http://www.maxmatic.com/bumpstik/bumpstik_index.htm)
- Bumper Stickers, Quotes, Slogans and Humor (http://humor.dmfitzgerald.com/macrohard.php)