Baby on Board

Baby on Board is the message of a small (usually five-inch) sign intended to be placed in the back window of an automobile to encourage safe driving. First marketed in September 1984 by Safety 1st Corporation, the sign became a ubiquitous fad, flourishing in 1985. Its use in the US rapidly declined by 1986^{[citation needed]} as parody imitations with lines like "Baby I'm Bored", "Pit Bull on Board", and "Mother-In-Law in Trunk" became popular, although its popularity continues in the United Kingdom (along with other versions such as "Princess on Board" and "Little Person on Board"), in Italy and in Japan (usually saying "Baby in Car", with the sign written in either English or Japanese script) well into the 21st century. The original parent company diversified into infant and child care products.

Despite waning in popularity, the signs have entered the American lexicon. In 1993, The Simpsons episode "Homer's Barbershop Quartet" featured a barbershop quartet tune called "Baby On Board". The song was written by Homer Simpson in a flashback to 1985 when Marge bought a sign, hoping it would stop people "intentionally ramming our car."

An urban legend claims that the death of a baby led to the creation of the signs. According to snopes.com, there is no truth to this claim.^[1] The founder of Safety 1st, Michael Lerner, claimed to have heard about similar signs in Europe, when in fact, he entered into a partnership with Patricia and Helen Bradley of Medford, Massachusetts, to market the signs. The Bradleys had been trying to market the signs since Patricia brought them back from Germany, where her husband was stationed. Lerner eventually bought PHOB, the company set up by the Bradleys, (for approximately US$150,000) and changed the name to Safety 1st.

Comedian George Carlin considered "Baby on Board" to be "the three most puke-inducing words that man has yet come up with".^[2]

Americas and Americas created a warning decal similar to the "Baby on Board" sign. The purpose of the sticker is to let people know that there is a child with Autism present who may not respond to emergency personnel.

See also

• Baby on Board (film), 2009 film starring Heather Graham
• Baby on Board (The Simpsons), a song played by the Be Sharps, in Homer's Barbershop Quartet

References

1. ^ "Baby on Board". Urban Legends Reference Pages. 2006-09-02. http://www.snopes.com/horrors/parental/babysign.asp. Retrieved 2007-02-06. 
2. ^ George Carlin: What Am I Doing in New Jersey?

External links

• Personalised Baby on Board Signs
• Baby on Board (stickers)
• Autistic Child Emergency Decal