Savin' That 76 Ball

Another American roadside gem, that great big ol' orange Union 76 ball is on its way out, or is it?

When ConocoPhillips bought Union Oil in 2003, one of the first things they started doing was getting rid of the orange orbs that spelled relief with their bathrooms and fuel for the tanks for many a weary road traveler since the 1960s. All looked gloomy until 2006 when an intrepid pair began an online effort to save the balls. Their names, Kim Koga, executive Director of the Museum of Neon Art in Los Angeles and Nathan Marsak.

A History of the orange ball:

1932-- the Union 76 retail brand is born at gas stations in the western US.

1940s--the distinctive orange circle with blue 76 outlined in white appears.

1962-- Ray Pedersen designs the 76 ball for the Seattle World's Fair. It is an immediate hit and goes up at all s Union 76 stations, even one at Dodger Stadium in LA

1967-- 76 antenna balls are an immediate hit. Two million given out.

1990-- Chicago-based band Urge Overkill uses it as logo. Their 1990 album "Americruiser" contains a song called "76 Ball."

1997-- In Jurassic Park, a T-rex topples a ball, nearly destroying a sports car.

2003-- ConocoPhillips begins removing and destroying the balls.

2006-- Kim Koga and Nathan Marsak launch online campaign to save the balls.

2007-- ConocoPhillips says it will stop destroying the balls. Museum homes to be sought for the survivors.

There are 20 76 items currently on e-Bay.

You can more info at www.savethe76ball.com/blog?

The blog had an great picture of a Union 76 station in Beverly Hills with really unique architecture designed by William Pereira. It still had the ball up high and proud.

From September Reader's Digest "Saving a Sign of the Times" by Brittany Bouffard.

I just happened to come across the article while waiting and anticipating at the dentist's office.

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