"Clenched Fist" symbol (1967-1968)

[Wilson Gray]

The now-defunct Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. of St. Louis had as its
mascot a "god of communication" whose raised right, IIRC, fist held stylized
representations of lightning bolts. This "god" appeared on the covers of
telephone books from at least the '30's.

-Wilson Gray


On 1/12/06, Bapopik at aol.com <Bapopik at aol.com> wrote:
>
> ---------------------- Information from the mail header
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> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       Bapopik at AOL.COM
> Subject:      "Clenched Fist" symbol (1967-1968)
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> "Howard Stern's 'Defiant Fist' a Time-Tested Symbol" is the page one story
> in Wednesday's New York Sun. Fists are shown from Howard Stern, Critical
> Mass,
> Earth First, Rasiej (failed NYC Public Advocate candidate in 2005), and
> the
> Black Panthers.
> ...
> NY SUN: "The fist in the air was actually a symbol from the
> Tennessee  Valley
> Authority. It meant electricity for all," Mr. Rasiej explained,
> referring  to
> the New Deal program of the 1930s.
> ...
> Nobody, of course, asked me. I've done numerous other hand symbols, from
> "OK" to "V." My father owner the Lightmore Company in Spring Valley and
> used the
> eact same symbol that Rasiej used, with the clenched fist and
> lightning  bolt.
> ...
> The 1968 Mexico City Olympics and Tommie Smith and John Carlos were
> mentioned, but the clenched fist salute was popular before that.
> ...
> A quick ProQuest search for "clenched fist" and "symbol" or
> "Black  Panthers"
> show hits mostly from 1967.
> ...
> ...
> ...
> _SENIORS'  GIFT WILL REST IN PEACE_
> (
> http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=36&did=510361922&SrchMode=1&sid=5&Fmt=10&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=HNP&TS
> =1137042580&clientId=65882)
> Los Angeles Times (1886-Current  File). Los Angeles, Calif.: Mar 17, 1967.
> p.
> F6 (1 page) :
> A sundial,  donated to the school by the 1970 graduating class, had come
> under attack by  some members of the community because it contained a
> brick inlay
> containing a  peace symbol.
> ...
> Mrs. Leon Riley told trustees that many persons equated the symbol with
> the
> clenched fist as a symbol used by revolutionaries.
> ...
> ...
> _ACCUSED  OF KILLING OFFICER; Courthouse Crowd Hails Militant Negro _
> (
> http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=0&did=520991462&SrchMode=1&sid=6&Fmt=10&VInst=PR
> OD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=HNP&TS=1137042734&clientId=65882)
> Los Angeles Times (1886-Current File). Los Angeles, Calif.:  Jan 28, 1968.
> p.
> G15 (1 page) :
> Newton, 25, the former defense minister of the Black Panthers, responded
> with an upraised clenched fist to symbolize Panther unity.
> ...
> ...
> _'CLENCHED  FIST' CASE; Students Readmitted After Flag Incident _
> (
> http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=41&did=527450322&SrchMode=1&sid=5&Fmt=10&VInst=PROD&
> VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=HNP&TS=1137042287&clientId=65882)
> Los  Angeles Times (1886-Current File). Los Angeles, Calif.: Nov 3, 1968.
> p.
> OC14 (1 page)
>