Unfortunately your car will never be faster than a speeding bullet. Sure, the citizens of Cleveland would appreciate the reduced commute time but be real, anyone driving that fast would just rack up tickets from Cleveland’s new portable traffic cameras. Instead you can now rep the Superman logo on your license plate.
Senator Tom Patton introduced the idea of adding the Superman logo to Ohio license plates two years ago and on Oct. 7 it finally became a reality. Standing outside of 10622 Kimberly Ave., in Cleveland, State Rep. Bill Patmon, members of the board of directors of the Siegel and Shuster Society, a volunteer based non-profit started in 2007, and relatives of creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster unveiled the Superman license plate.
Patmon included the plate in legislation as part of the Ohio budget, which greatly aided in making it reality, and also to ensure the plate is available to only Ohio drivers this year, which just happens to be the 75th anniversary of Superman. Those looking to get the logo encrypted on their license plate can order it online at www.bmv.ohio.gov.
The plate costs $20 plus the additional registration fee of $34.50 and tax. Cleveland.com reports that about half of the $20 fee will go to the Siegal and Shuster Society for future projects. Don’t need new plates but still want to feel like you’re saving the day? Ohioans can replace their current plate with the Superman plate for an $11.75 replacement fee and a $.50 replacement sticker fee.
How does Superman tie in with Cleveland, particularly Jewish Cleveland?
Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel were both born and raised in Cleveland. The idea of Superman was born after a long-time friend of Shuster, Jerry Fine, now a 97-year-old Beachwood resident, introduced Shuster to his cousin Jerry Siegel.
It was during the 1930s that the Man of Steel was created by two Jewish teenagers inspired by Cleveland. Seventy-five years later Superman is still looked at as the hometown hero.
Due to the vast work by the volunteers of the Siegel and Shuster Society, more than $111,000 was raised to rehab the childhood house of Siegel, now owned by Jefferson and Harriet Gray. The Gray’s even told the Plain Dealer people are coming as far away as Brazil to see the house.
