Goblu and Beatosu

Goblu and Beatosu are imaginary towns that were inserted into the 1978-79 official state of Michigan map. The names refer to the slogan of University of Michigan fans ("Go Blue!") and a reference to their archrivals from Ohio State University (OSU).

Peter Fletcher, a U of M alumnus and chairman of the State Highway Commission, inserted the fake towns of "Goblu" (near the real town of Bono, Ohio off Ohio State Route 2) and "Beatosu" (near Elmira, Ohio, just south of Interstate 80/90/Ohio Turnpike). [http://www.michiganhistorymag.com/extra/transportation/maps.pdf] The state of Michigan was not amused, however, and new maps had to be printed with the offending "towns" removed. The original maps are now a collector's item, and fetch up to $150 in mint condition.

Before Fletcher admitted to the ruse, some speculated that the fake towns may have been placed there as a "copyright trap", used by map companies to prevent other mapmakers from stealing their work. [ [http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_165.html The Straight Dope: Do maps have "copyright traps" to permit detection of unauthorized copies? ] ]

The fictional Road Pig, a member of the fictional Dreadnoks, from the ficitonal G.I. Joe series, is recorded as having been born in Goblu, Michigan. [ [http://www.yojoe.com/filecard/04/roadpig3.shtml Road Pig Filecard] ]

ee also

* Fictitious entry
* Trap street

References