In a previous post, we learned that Mykael Moss was born in Quincy, Massachusetts and that after college she moved to Chicago to raise a family.  We learned that she retired to Berkeley three years ago.

Forest Gill, circa 1935. Photo: http://www.jocohistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/jcm/id/8304

We didn’t learn anything about bumper stickers though.  Many experts credit Forest P. Gill, a silkscreen printer from Kansas City as the developer of the bumper sticker.  Gill recognized that the self-adhesive paper used during the second world war could be used to advertise promotional products in the late 1940s.  And so here we are.

Moss’ passion for making an inventory of Berkeley bumper stickers is unabated, and the latest crop is a bumper one.  Pun!!!!!  All photos were taken by Moss.

Of her bumper sticker inventory, Moss writes: “After three years living here, Berkeleyites continue to impress me, with their motivation and ability to publicly promote ideas of social reform, of great organizations and clever thoughts on its cars and windows. Keep your eyes open folks! Apply more bumper stickers to your vehicles! I’ll keep my camera ready to bring more to you! We live in such an amazing social, political, emotional bubble. (Yes, I admit I did see one Trump bumper sticker in our city.) I am hoping our ideas and ideals travel to other states in need of social justice and change.”

This is her favorite of the latest crop.  It also serves as an impressionist self-portrait.

Her enthusiasm for our activism demands that we pause a moment.  Yes, we care. We still care.  And that’s a good thing.  Those who ask that we care do a service, a great service.  All progress depends on unreasonable men and women who care and ask us to care.

I showed these photos to my friend.  He picked up right away on my paraphrasing of George Bernard Shaw and the reasonable man.  He even remembered my high school valedictory speech based on the Shaw quote.  Who knew?

What about Moss and her love of Berkeley and bumper stickers and this post?