Ford Dealer Postcard Featuring "Jerry McSafety" and Ventriloquist Wayne Fernelius, 1956

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Artifact Overview

Detroit Police Department officer Wayne Fernelius created the Jerry McSafety character to teach important safety lessons in a lighthearted way. Fernelius, a self-taught ventriloquist, performed with his puppet at schools, churches, and clubs throughout Michigan for 20 years. Jerry McSafety's name was the result of a city-wide contest that invited suggestions from Detroit schoolchildren.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Postcard

Subject Date

1956

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2017.111.7

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift in Memory of Gene and Gloria Gulbransen.

Material

Card stock
Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Printing (Process)

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 3.5 in
Width: 5.625 in