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- In 1955, while attempting to find a name for their hugely anticipated new car, Ford decided to approach the most unlikely of people to assist in the matter: Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, Marianne Moore. Moore, who was known by the wife of one Robert Young, an employee in the car manufacturer's marketing research department, was soon contacted by letter; she agreed to help, and proceeded to supply them with a magnificent selection of words with which to brand their car. The entire chain of correspondence, from initial enquiry to baffling conclusion, can be read below.
As can be seen, all of Moore's delightful suggestions were ignored. The Ford "Edsel" was finally unveiled in 1957. It flopped spectacularly.
user-inactivated · 4292 days ago · link ·
Have you bought the book? It's another I tried to pick up for Christmas only to be told (I think) that it isn't out in America yet -- but that doesn't sound right, maybe they meant the paperback. Anyway, I want to support the website so I'm definitely going to buy it when I can.
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thenewgreen · 4292 days ago · link ·
Do you mean the "Letters of Note" book? I have not bought it yet. I'm not sure that I would buy it for myself, but I do think it would make a nice gift.