U-Haul ventures into Teleoceras Territory
U-Haul has brought the extinct teleoceras back to life. This striking creature can now be seen on the sides of more than 2,200 U-Haul moving vans traveling across the ancient animal’s native Nebraska habitat and throughout North America.
On June 5, 2008, the “Venture Across America” SuperGraphics campaign continued the long-standing tradition of honoring states and provinces when the latest SuperGraphic honoring the state of Nebraska was unveiled at Ashfall Fossil Beds in Royal, Nebraska. This graphic, which features a striking rendition of what the ancient teleoceras was believed to have looked like, surprised and amazed everyone in attendance.
The U-Haul Media and Public Relations Department and the U-Haul Company of Nebraska (Co. 730) teamed up with the University of Nebraska to unveil the newest SuperGraphic during the ground breaking ceremony for the new Hubbard Rhino Barn at Ashfall Fossil Beds. Ashfall Park is a joint project of the University of Nebraska State Museum and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Twelve million years ago, a supervolcano erupted in what is now modern-day Idaho, creating an enormous ash cloud that traveled all the way to what is now Royal, Nebraska. This Ashfall deposit preserved the remains of the ancient teleoceras, as well as the ancestors of today’s horses camels and deer, giving us an ecological “snapshot” from this astounding period of time. It contains skeletons of extinct rhinos, camels and horses lying in the volcanic ash that killed them. U-Haul chose the Ashfall Fossil Beds to represent the state of Nebraska because Ashfall is the only known site in the world where entire three-dimensional skeletons of large prehistoric animals are preserved.
Marketing Company President (MCP) Mike Hale spoke to a crowd of more than 100 spectators during which time he presented plaques to individuals involved with the development of the SuperGraphic and the Ashfall Fossil Beds, including Dr. Mike Voorhies, the paleontologist who discovered Ashfall more than 30 years ago. After unveiling the official truck, dignitaries were given the opportunity to sign the SuperGraphic.
To learn more about the Ashfall Fossil Beds, visit uhaul.com/supergraphics.
The body of a barrel-bodied rhino calf removed from the ash bed.
Ashfall discoverer Mike Voorhies works to uncover the leg bone of an ancient zebra.
MCP Mike Hale present Mike Voorhies with a commemorative Supergraphic plaque.
Co. 730 Area Field Managers (AFMs) Jerry Winget, Anthony Stansberry and Doug Graham, Media and Public Relations Director Joanne Fried, MCP Mike Hale, Media and Public Relations Specialist Nicole Shropshire, Executive Assistant (EA) Steve Circo and area district vice president (ADVP) Yvette DaLuz in front of the SuperGraphic.
The moving van with the dignitaries’ signatures.
Mother and baby rhino fossils preserved in prehistoric volcanic ash.