Edsel

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ORIGIN AND HISTORY

Edsel is believed to have origins in Germanic mythology under its variant version Etzel. Etzel was a medieval name believed to be derived from “adal” – most closely meaning Noble. There is also some etymological evidence that a version of it evolved from the nickname “Atta” for father. ^[1]

POPULARITY

According to the Social Security Administration, Edsel is not in the top 1000 names for any year of birth in the last 56 years. The last year that Edsel made this ranking was 1952 when it came in at 963rd. Edsel’s greatest brush with popularity came in the 1920s when it ranked closer to the 400s and actually hitting its most popular in 1927 at 400 exactly. Perhaps not surprisingly, the introduction and (lack of) popularity of the Ford Edsel automobile from 1958 to 1960 did little to affect the popularity of the name.

FACTS

Edsel is perhaps best known as the name of an American car model manufactured by the Ford Motor Company from 1858 to 1960. The car was named for Henry Ford’s son Edsel Ford. Time Magazine called the Edsel one of “the worst cars of all time,” ^[1] and many in America agreed with them. There are a number of factors that seemed to lead to its criticism and ultimate demise including its cost and gas mileage (since introduced during a slight recession in the United States), the fact that it did not seem to live up to its “Madison Avenue” hype, the physical appearance. Many critics were vicious, comparing the front end and grill to that of a vagina – not a popular sentiment or compliment during the staid 1950s. Consumer Reports Magazine added to the problems by citing “poor workmanship” and “according to author and Edsel scholar Jan Deutsch, the Edsel was ‘the wrong car at the wrong time.’" ^[1] Although collected by some automobile fans now, it was discontinued after just three years.

NAMESAKES

• Edsel.com (www.edsel.com) is a Ford Edsel ownership and fan website offering Edsel aficionados information and resources on Edsels.

FAMOUS PERSONS

• Edsel Bryant Ford (1893 – 1943) was Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford’s only child. Edsel was groomed early to take over the company and served as its president from 1919 to 1943.
• Edsel Ford (1928 – 1970) was an Arkansas poet (no relation to Ford Motor Company Edsel or Henry Ford). ^[1]

OTHER EDSEL'S

Edsel Absten, Edsel Abarca, Edsel Baez, Edsel Akers, Edsel Acosta, Edsel Abreu, Edsel Addington, Edsel Adams, Edsel Aalfs, Edsel Aleshire, Edsel Ford, Edsel Baites, Edsel Alagos, Edsel Bakke, Edsel Adkins, Edsel Baggett, Edsel Baker, More results

Author: Mike Szimanski

NOTES