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In 1971, Governor Frank Licht of Rhode Island announced a state-wide effort to reduce venereal disease which had reached high proportions in the state, going by the name, “Let’s Get V.D.” The three-month effort promoted an ongoing program of free and confidential medical assistance to persons affected by a venereal disease. The program came out over concerns of large number of people affected by venereal disease but not treated for it, which resulted in doubling of known cases of venereal disease. The program reached into schools, neighborhood health centers, hospitals and through public service messages in newspapers, on the radio, television, outdoor advertising and bus advertising. The program was directed at the 14-25 age group where the incidents of venereal disease were the greatest to let them know they could be treated without parental approval and in the strictest confidence. The program was meant to supplement efforts already underway to inform the public about the dangers of venereal disease and geared towards those who didn’t read newspaper articles or brochures already distributed in the state. The campaign purposely built shock into the message to draw the attention of people to the problem and how it can be treated in a confidential matter.

The campaign and slogan went beyond Rhode Island as other states brought attention to the matter during National Pharmacy Week in 1971 on October 3-9. Other efforts included a VD telethon in Pennsylvania where a committee of high school students promoted the event with buttons with the slogan, “Let’s Get VD…Information,” posters, assemblies, student newspaper articles and public address announcements.

Brown illustration of an ape with a red mouth on a white background and a blue outer edge with black text

“Go Ape” is an idiom that came into popularity in the 1950s, and is used similarly to expression like “to go bananas”. It can be used to describe both excitement (The crowds go ape for the Beatles!) or unhappiness (Cubs fans went ape when their team lost 14-0!). 

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The American alternative rock group, the Pixies, released their second album Doolittle, which debuted in the Spring of 1989. The album was distributed in the U.S. by Electra Records in collaboration with the U.K. record label; 4AD. The Pixies formed in 1986 when two friends, Joey Santiago and Black Francis, who were neighbors while attending the University of Massachusetts Amherst initially created the group. They later advertised to find fellow members Kim Deal and David Lovering. After the four members were in place, they chose their group name from the dictionary, finding that they liked the definition; “mischievous little elves,” so the name Pixies stuck. In 2009, the group got together in celebration of the twentieth anniversary of their edgy Doolittle album by touring Europe again for their fans, and in 2013 replaced one of the original members while continuing to tour today. 

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The Oregon State Beavers are the athletics teams of Oregon State University. The mascot of the teams is Benny the Beaver and the school colors of orange and black. The main rivals of the Beavers are the Oregon Ducks of the University of Oregon. The rivalry between the two football teams is known as the Civil War, with 118 contested games as of the 2014 season. Fans, alumni, and supports are known as the Beaver Nation. The Beaver Sports Radio Network broadcasts Beaver athletic events across dozens of frequencies in Oregon. 

Black silhouette of a beaver holding a red maple leaf.

The Canadian flag in its current form, a maple leaf with red and white stripes, was approved by Parliament and made official on February 15, 1965. The red color is a symbol of Canadian sacrifice during World War I and the maple leaf had already been a national symbol for around 100 years.

The beaver, much like the moose, has been considered a Canadian symbol for more than three centuries. Beavers are native to Canada and can be found in wooded areas throughout the nation. They do, however, have limited ranges due to being historically overhunted for their thick fur.

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Illustration of Ted Hake wearing a bluish-green shirt and wearing a button of himself on an orange background with black text

In 1968, Ted Hake created Hake’s Americana and Collectibles Auction #211, the first auction to specialize in American pop culture. Hake has authored many price guides for collectibles, including political items, pinback buttons, and other pop culture memorabilia. In 2004, he sold the company, but continued to work as a full-time consultant for them. In 2012, Hake launched tedhake.com, a website that sells buttons and other pop culture artifacts from Hake's personal collections at fixed prices.    

The Busy Beaver Button Museum features a button in which Ted is wearing a button of himself wearing a button that features himself which is also in the museum here.

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“I’m with stupid” is a humorous insult commonly seen on t-shirts, with a hand pointing in one direction. The phrase is sometimes paired with a t-shirt worn by a second person stating “I’m stupid”. 

Illustration of a red worm holding a book on a white background

Back in the day, (the early 1900s) people coined the phrase "Bookworm" referring to someone who is like those tiny silkworms that tend to hang out on the pages of print books. Jokingly it implies other meanings such as being nerdy, geeky or studious. Today, after all this time, bookworms are still synonymous with books and reading.