When the
World Series is over and the upcoming election is done, it won't be the
end of the display of names, numbers and opinions. There are always
messages to read along the streets, in the parking lots, at the curbs and
in the driveways. There are always names and numbers running across
rectangular plates at home and elsewhere. For those who'd like a break
from watching for runs that cross home plate and from reading about which
way to vote, here's a selection from a quick weekend sampling of what the
license plates say around town.
Using a few
letters and digits, people tell who they are, what they do and how they
relate to the world. The secretary of state says he is pleased with
people's willingness to express themselves that way and to pay for the
privilege of doing so. Vanity and personalized plates issued in Illinois
since 1980 have generated $13 million.
It's interesting to speculate
about where the most original or entertaining license plates are likely to
be found and how the display of creativity correlates with type of work,
personality, age, gender, income, education, vehicle models and other
factors. See for yourself.
