Complaining about the mispronunciation of “Oregon” is one of the many pastimes of us Oregonians (among talking about the weather, wearing Birks with socks, and pointing out people on the sidewalk using umbrellas). Well, Hal Evenson, an alum of the University of Oregon, took matters in his own hands when he created the legendary “ORYGUN” decal. The comical (and helpful) misspelling is turning 50 this year, so we talked to our friend and the creator to hear the story behind it.
The Duck Store: ORYGUN turns 50 this year. Congrats! How did you come up with the idea? Tell us the story behind your product!
Hal Evenson: It started 10 years before 1967 when I was a sophomore at North Eugene High School. In the first days of World History class another student asked, "Why were the middle ages called the dark ages?" The teacher replied, "He didn't know does anyone have any thoughts on this?" My instant answer was "Because there were so many knights". Thus, began my appreciation for duplicate spellings.
In 1960, I entered the UO, while working the night stocking crew at the McKay Grocery. I started my sophomore year entering, and winning, my only debate tournament. In spring of 1962 I decided to enter the US Air Force. During the 10-hour mission flights, we were at our stations for several hours on each where we had "down time" which allowed me to begin writing limericks. In August 1965 I returned home, and received an Air Medal for my service, and resumed my Political Science studies at UO.
During my Junior year, in 1967, I decided one afternoon to make a decal which would be contradictory to education by making something which was misspelled. I had won most spelling bees in grade school through high school. I went to The Duck Store and purchased a decal "UNIVERSITY OF OREGON". I tried a number of misspellings but didn't have enough decal letters. Then I remembered that while I was in the Air Force, no one could pronounce ORYGUN. I centered two strips of masking tape in the back window of my Plymouth Valiant, cut up the decal to make ORYGUN, installed the letters and I thought I was done.
Two weeks later, after hearing inquiries from office persons and friends — capped by being stopped at a traffic signal and asked where to get one of the decals — I decided to try for a copyright.
The first page of the Copyright Manual indicated "Unusual spelling of State's names cannot be copyrighted.” I applied anyway and the response contained a highlighted copy of that page. I talked to my friend since grade school, who had just passed the Oregon State Bar examination. He suggested I try and sell my idea to an organization in the business. He accompanied me, as a witness, to an organization which promptly tried to "pirate" my idea until he told them who he was.
TDS: How did your product end up being sold at The Duck Store?
HE: I went to The Duck Store and told the Manager, Al, of my experience and he replied, "This is a student store; you are a student and I won't buy your product from anyone else." He then gave me an order for 100 decals which was quickly renewed many times over.
I graduated UO in 1968, and moved to Salem, ORYGUN in 1969.
TDS: We know you’re an alum of the University of Oregon. Are you a native of Oregon, too?
HE: I was born in Minot, (raised in Donnybrook) North Dakota in 1942. I moved to Eugene in 1952 and graduated in North Eugene High School's first class in 1960. I graduated in 1968 from UO.
TDS: The ORYGUN merchandise is really popular, do you often see it around town?
HE: I have the ORYGUN license plate and have had it since 1973. Someone else beat me to DMV for the first year, but I obtained the plate when I inquired about the status on the SAME DAY it was returned in Beaverton! When I visited my mother in Eugene, I was frequently asked, when stopped, if the plate was "for sale".
I see decals frequently in Salem, but Eugene is loaded. I am often asked about shirts.
TDS: What was life like after ORYGUN? Did you go into the product development field?
HE: In 1971 I drew plans for, and… built [a] second story on my home and completely updated two other homes.
I had my own part-time, licensed, hunting firearms business from 1977-1990.
I was appointed by Governor Tom McCall's Office in 1969. I staffed the Economic Opportunity Office, and the State Program on Aging, in a number of community organization roles, including assignments from the Governor's Commission on Senior Services.
During 1969-75, I organized the Oregon State Council for Senior Citizens, helped organize the low-income group (State) Citizens for Progress through Law (CPL), and wrote newsletters for both organizations.
TDS: Do you have any parting words for budding entrepreneurs?
HE: My experiences and successes convinced me that the Golden Rule (Treat others as I would like to be treated) is the best regulation for my life;
I am ALWAYS GRATEFUL.
