State it on a plate — Over the years, slogans, designs have taken some poetic license

Editor's note: Deseret Morning News artist John Clark, a license-plate collector himself, designed Utah's "Life Elevated" ski-themed plate, which was approved by the Legislature earlier this year.

Utah's newest standard-issue license plate is illustrative of the state's scenic diversity. It features a skiing scene with a representation of petroglyphs along the top. And it is the first time that reproductions of photographs have been used on Utah plates, giving them a unique graphic status in the history of Utah plates.

Utah license-plate design has a colorful past, influenced by many varied interests.

Advertising the state on a license plate, for example, began early on. When Utah first started registering automobiles on May 11, 1909, only a number followed by the letter "U" appeared on plates.

But members of the Salt Lake Commercial Club felt early Utah license plates were bland and requested the state spruce up its plates to help promote tourism. In 1923, red plates that conjured visions of red-rock deserts were introduced. The plate also spelled out the entire state name — a subtle update, but certainly more descriptive.

In 1941, H.J. Plumhof, a member of the newly formed Department of Publicity and Industrial Development, had an idea to place a slogan on Utah's license plates. Beginning in 1942, the slogan "Center Scenic America," which had been used by the Utah State Automobile Association and the Salt Lake Commercial Club since the 1920s, announced Utah's scenic position.

In the fall of 1945, the State Tax Commission proposed removing advertising from Utah's license plates for 1946, suggesting that the additional wording made the plate hard for law enforcement to read. When the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce protested, the commission said the design didn't present a "particular hazard," so the slogan stayed. Utah would remain one of six states nationwide to have a slogan on its plate.

The commission also announced a special plate would be designed for 1947 to commemorate the centennial of the Mormon pioneers' arrival in the Salt Lake Valley. The phrase "This Is the Place" was incorporated into the design. The slogan was among Utah's most popular.

In 1948, following the centennial celebration, a new slogan was needed. Rulon S. Howells, from the Department of Publicity and Industrial Development, offered a suggestion: How about "The Friendly State?"

The department had developed the slogan for its own tourism campaign. The phrase appeared on brochures, advertising signs and license plates. Traffic-safety groups again raised objections about slogans, and this time they were supported by the public.