Googolplex Feature Traces History Of CUNA's 'Umbrella Man'

November 19, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tom Dunn
(608) 231-4002
tdunn@cuna.com

MADISON, WI – A new feature on Googolplex traces the history of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA's) 'Umbrella Man'. Googolplex, the CU Guide for Student Moneymakers is published by CUNA & Affiliates. The online magazine provides fresh content to students each week to help them learn to:

• Save for the future.
• Spend wisely.
• Borrow responsibly.

First drawn in 1923 by Joseph Stern, an artist for the Boston Globe, the 'Umbrella Man' symbolized the credit union movement for nearly 40 years. The original drawing shows a happy, little credit union member under an umbrella. Above him hard times, sickness, and financial distress rain down.

At the request of Roy Bergengren, Stern drew the 'Umbrella Man' and other cartoons for The Bridge, now Credit Union Magazine, when it was first published in June 1924. In The Bridge, the man appeared in a bridge tender's outfit holding a sign saying, "The Road is Open."

During World War II, the man traded his umbrella for a gun to help credit unions sell war bonds. In one drawing, the little man smiles as he rides a tank with his thumb in the air. The ad reads, "This credit union has enlisted for Victory." In another version, the little man stands at attention with a gun in his hand and his umbrella stuck in the ground by his side.

In 1954, as credit unions began to spread around the globe, CUNA created an international services department called the World Extension. To reflect this expansion, designers encircled the man with a dot pattern and a globe.

Finally, in the mid-1960's, the 'Umbrella Man' drawing was retired. While credit unions can still use the little man with the umbrella as their trademark, they rarely do. The security of credit union membership that he symbolizes, however, lives on.

The complete story and a link to the original cartoon are available at Credit Unions: keeping members dry .

For more information on Googolplex, contact Darlene Brightbill at (800) 356-9655, ext. 4344 or visit www.cuna.org and enter "Googolplex" in the search box.

With its network of affiliated state credit union leagues, Credit Union National Association serves more than 90% of America's 10,300 credit unions, which are owned by more than 80 million consumer members. Credit unions are not-for-profit cooperatives where people are worth more than money. For more information, visit www.cuna.org.

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