"His Master's Voice" (What you don't see is that Nipper is sitting on the coffin of his dead owner) In company logos and advertisements, animals are a fairly common sight. So common, in fact, that you probably haven't given these mascots a great deal of thought. But those whose job involves selecting an animal representative for an organization or company face no small task. With their choice, they will be aligning themselves with whatever qualities people tend to associate with that animal. Once they’ve found their totem, they may forever be associated with it. A prime example of logo longevity is "His Master’s Voice," a design trademarked by the Victor Record Company on this day in 1900, sealing forever in our minds the image of Nipper the dog listening attentively to a Victrola, and connecting it further with the Gramophone Company (later known as HMV). In the ensuing century, plenty of other corporate critters have made their marks on our cultural consciousness. How many times have you heard Leo, the MGM lion roar? Financial institutions have adopted symbols of strength, including an elk and a lion, though Merrill Lynch was wise to select a bull rather than a bear. Animals in advertising have also provided memorable and humorous moments. Cuteness gives many animal representatives their appeal. The Geico gecko is pretty adorable, as is Snuggle, the Fabric Softener Bear. Some creatures are simply effective because they are cartoons, and appeal to kids, such as the Trix Rabbit and Sugar Bear. Turns out there’s a science behind the success of animals (or "visual identifiers," as the marketing analysts call them). While some wine critics may claim they avoid "labels bearing cute animals," the rest of us are drawn to these images almost against our will, according to researchers. Did you pick up that bottle of Syrah because it had a kangaroo, chameleon, or a cute dog or kitty on it? It’s not your fault -– you're a victim of your own "perceptual fluency." In light of the incredible sway these animals have over us, some mascots may not have been the best selections. Joe Camel, for example, the longtime rep for Camel cigarettes, was no longer depicted in cartoon form due to objections that he appealed to children too effectively, and Budweiser’s Spuds MacKenzie faded into obscurity before anyone noticed that a dog in a Hawaiian shirt was probably not the most appropriate spokes-animal for beer. After all, wouldn’t you rather share a tall one with a creepy penguin? Suggested Sites... TV Acres - Advertising Mascots - take a four-legged walk down memory lane. "Of Frog Wines and Frowning Watches" - academic study on why we select animal-endorsed brands and respond to other visual cues. Live-Animal Mascots Get an "F" - PETA argues that actual animals should not be used as mascots. "Dinner With the Mascots" video on YouTube - amusing reunion of several iconic mascots.

Directory categories: Advertising, Commercials, Pop Culture, Graphic Design, Phonographs

Archived under: 19th Century, Advertising, Animals, Anniversaries, Bears, Birds, Brands, Cartoons, Design, Dogs, History, Images, Mascots, Music, Music History, Nostalgia, Records, Society and Culture, TV, Wine

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2005 Woodcarving Competition in Westport, WA (Photo by Jan Tik) Nothing makes us think of highbrow art and refined culture like the roar of a chainsaw and the spray of sawdust. Though some snooty metropolitan galleries might not be ready for chainsaw art exhibits, rough-hewn wooden sculptures are on display in countless homes and businesses around the world. From Hawaii to Wales, from country fiddlers to former punk rockers, chainsaw artists are hacking out a niche in the woodworking world. We're not sure if it's the folksy, handmade look that catches the public's eye, or the idea of graceful, intricate artwork being created with a tool that's generally known for brute force. There's certainly something fascinating about the process, though -- watching rugged pillars of timber being transformed into bears, eagles, and well... more bears. So many bears. Suggested Sites... Wisconsin School of Chainsaw Carving - ready to create art with power tools? Start with some advice from the pros... United Chainsaw Carvers Guild - ...then share tips and ideas with fellow artists... Ridgway Rendezvous - ...or show your talent at an international chainsaw carving event... Chainsaw Art Directory - ...and you might end up listed in a directory of professional chainsaw artists!

Directory categories: Chainsaw Carving, Chainsaw Carvings for Sale, Woodworking, Woodworking Tools, Folk, Self Taught, and Outsider Art

Archived under: Animals, Artists, Arts, Bears, Birds, Crafts, Decorating, Design, Fanatics, Homemade, Lumberjacks, Sculpture

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(photo by Kathie Alvarado) Black and brown bears possess a winter survival strategy that many of us would like to emulate: hibernation. After an intensive summer and early fall eat-a-thon of carbohydrate-rich foods, a bear selects a winter den. A rocky crevice, a tree hollow, or a den dug into a north-facing slope all make suitable places to slumber. Unlike small mammals such as bats or ground squirrels, bears are not considered "true" hibernators: a thick coat and a massive body enable bears to sleep deeply without the dramatic drop in body temperature and metabolic rates that comes with torpor. In this state of dormancy, bears can still react to intruders and other threats. When the weather warms in March, these giant teddy bears will stir from their deep sleep and rise to find the new foods of spring. Not a bad way to escape the harshness of winter. Suggested Sites... Hibernation: Deeeeeeep Sleeeeeeep ... - find out what we know about the fascinating state of hibernation, and how we are using this knowledge to help humans. North American Bear Center - slide shows, sound clips, and facts revealing the natural history of the black bear. Shadow of The Bear - peruse images capturing Ursus arctos middendorffi, the Kodiak brown bear, throughout the year. Enchanted Learning: Hibernating Animal Printouts - print coloring pages for children and introduce them to the variety of creatures that are dormant throughout winter.

Directory categories: Black Bears, Kodiak Brown Bears, Grizzly Bears, Alaskan Wildlife

Archived under: Animals, Bears, Biology, Hibernation, Science, Winter

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(photo by Jan Tik) Nothing makes us think of highbrow art and refined culture like the roar of a chainsaw and the spray of sawdust. Though some snooty metropolitan galleries might not be ready for chainsaw art exhibits, the rough-hewn wooden sculptures are on display in countless homes and businesses around the world. From Hawaii to Wales, from country fiddlers to former punk rockers, chainsaw artists are hacking out a niche in the woodworking world. We're not sure if it's the folksy, handmade look that catches the public eye, or the idea of graceful, intricate artwork being created with a tool that's generally known for brute force. There's certainly something fascinating about the process, though -- watching rugged pillars of timber transformed into bears, eagles, and well... more bears. So many bears. Suggested Sites... Wisconsin School of Chainsaw Carving - ready to create art with power tools? Start with some advice from the pros... United Chainsaw Carvers Guild - then share tips and ideas with fellow artists... Ridgway Rendezvous - or show your talent at an international chainsaw carving event... Chainsaw Art Directory - and you might end up listed in a directory of professional chainsaw artists!

Directory categories: Chainsaw Carving, Chainsaw Carvings for Sale, Woodworking, Woodworking Tools

Archived under: Arts, Bears, Crafts, Fanatics

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