now you know (yo slick, blow)

 

Who invented "I heart NY"? Taylor Stafford, Texas

Dear Taylor:

The "I Love New York" campaign was commissioned by the state of New York and designed by the very famous graphic designer Milton Glaser in 1977. You know, we love it when we can answer a question so quickly -- in a New York minute, even. But, wait. New York is a place of stories. And the one behind the logo may be more interesting than the design itself -- which is nothing more than three letters and a heart symbol. Glaser created "I Love New York" at a time when nobody loved the city. President Ford had just told New York to drop dead. Serial killer Son of Sam prowled the boroughs. One of the world's greatest cities was deteriorating under budget deficits, blackouts, riots, and -- according to Glaser himself -- lots and lots of doggie poo. Today, just about everyone's willing to show the city some love, but back in the late 1970s, confessing your amore for the Big Apple left a rotten taste in many a mouth. The city and the state eventually saw economic upturns, and New Yorkers rallied to address many of its plaguing issues. But we believe Glaser's deceptively simple design and sentiment surely played a part in the slow but strong rebirth of the great metropolis. [linkage]

(it's under "wtf" b/c of Ford's snub...i must google this later)

Comments

[nina]

i never knew! thanks for the info:) ket us know abt what you find on google too abt ford!!

[Ennis]

Or you could just ask me:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/nyc100/html/classroom/hist_info/mayors.html

It was during Beame's term that President Gerald Ford refused to provide federal aid to New York City, prompting the now famous New York Daily News headline: "Ford to New York: Drop Dead."

[A N N A]

it's so funny-- while i was posting this, i thought, "ennis will know!" :)

you never disappoint. ;)

nina, i feel like such an idiot-- i could've... just...clicked...the "drop dead" link...in the post. oy, where is my mind, indeed.