“In 1938, wallet
manufacturer the E. H. Ferree company in Lockport, New York decided
to promote its product by showing how a Social Security card would
fit into its wallets. A sample card, used for display purposes,
was inserted in each wallet. Company Vice President and Treasurer
Douglas Patterson thought it would be a clever idea to use the actual
SSN of his secretary, Mrs. Hilda Schrader Whitcher.”
Gee, what could go wrong?
40,000 copycats later, even gentle Mrs. Whitcher was saying, “I can’t understand how people can be so stupid.”
{ Hat tip: Mr. Duffy. Photo: U.S. Social Security Administration }