Mudflap Girl is a silhouette of a woman with an hourglass body shape, sitting, leaning back on her hands, with her hair being blown in the wind. The image was created in the 1970s and was popularized on mudflaps. Subsequently it went on to new featured on other trucking in the United States accessories [1] as well as on clothing, jewellery, and personal accessories.
This image was originally believed to be modeled on Leta Laroe, a famous exotic dancer at the time. [2] [3] However, it is more likely that the design is based on Rachel Ann Allen, created by Bill Zinda in Long Beach, California, for his friend Stewart Allen. [4]
The image of Mudflap Girl appears in many forms of media. Sometimes it is simply a nostalgic image on clothing or in jewellery and other times variations of the image are used for fun or a critical commentary.
Heather Joseph-Witham, a folklorist who teaches at Otis College of Art and Design and who has also debunked urban legends for Mythbusters Asked "Regardless of the precise truth of the narrative, the important issue here is: Why is this image so ubiquitous?". To her, the Mudflap Girl is quintessentially American. "Why do so many people feel the need to display it? What does it say about us?" [4]
It can also be seen in popular media. In the 2023 stage production Mudflap Girl by Sya Sen, the image is seen through the eyes of people who have lived in different decades since the inception of the character. [5] This includes a 1970s trucker, a 1980s homemaker, a 1990s feminist, a 2000s pragmatist, a 2010s cynic, and a 2020s optimist. The show also features the character of Mudflap Girl herself. [6]
The image is also referred to as trucker girl or seated lady. Over the decades there have been many variations upon the original image including women portrayed with different and more diverse body types. There are numerous variations on the original image including:
The image is Rachel Ann Allen, mother of Ed Allen, whose father popularized the image.
Mudflap Girl received a trademark in January of 2010 from registration from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. "Trademark Registration Number 3742024". Trademark Status & Document Retrieval (TSDR). United States Patent and Trademark Office. Retrieved 2020-11-13.</ref> The image commonly apppears on clothing and jewelry as well as stickers and decals.
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An apron is a garment that is worn over other clothing to cover the front of the body. They may have several purposes, typically as a functional accessory that protects clothes and skin from stains and marks. However, other types of aprons may be worn as a decoration, for hygienic reasons, as part of a uniform, or as protection from certain dangers such as acid, allergens or excessive heat. It can also be used at work stations to hold extra tools and pieces or protect from dust and unwanted materials.
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Events in 1973 in animation.
Events in 1964 in animation.
Events in 1967 in animation.
Events in 1970 in animation.
Events in 1971 in animation.
Events in 1972 in animation.
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Events in 1968 in animation.
