Steve Clarke, general manager of The Fuelcard People, has reminded van users that they can look forward to a great many celebrations during 2013. “I doubt that any of us anticipate an economic miracle during the coming 12 months,” he said. “Nor can firms expect much help from Westminster, based on recent history. Maybe we should all take the Scarlett O’Hara view, that tomorrow is another day, and look for something else to cheer about.”
Van users who love great literature will already know that January marks 200 years since the publication of Pride and Prejudice. “This is likely to receive more publicity than the month’s other 200th anniversary,” said Steve Clarke, referring to the first planting of pineapples in Hawaii.
Those firms interested only in transport issues can still prepare for more than one anniversary party in the New Year. “Underground railways became reality 150 years ago,” Steve said, “with the first section of London’s Metropolitan line opening in January, 1863. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, our cousins were also contributing to transportation development. In the same month that we opened the Tube, an American called James Plimpton was busy patenting the modern four-wheel roller skate.”
While the roller skate may hardly have changed, other sporting pursuits with notable 2013 birthdays might not be recognisable to their founding fathers. The Lawn Tennis Association and the Football League were both created 125 years ago, into a world that knew nothing of millionaire sportsmen and their millionaire agents.
“On the other hand,” said Steve Clarke, “If Marvin C. Stone were still around, he would instantly recognise the modern incarnation of his 1888 brainchild. As our committees collaborated on their complex creations, this American was single-handedly inventing something that everyone must have used at some time: the drinking straw. Happy 125th, Mr. Stone!”
Firms can get ready for any number of centenaries during 2013. Across the Atlantic, New York’s Grand Central Terminal opened in 1913 – and still has more platforms, with 44, than any other railway station in the world. In Canada, Gideon Sundbäck was busy perfecting the zip fastener. Back in the USA, the first electric refrigerator for domestic use went on sale in Chicago. “It may have been first,” said Steve Clarke, “but even now, 100 years later, $900 is a lot to pay for a fridge.”
Countless people could have planned 100th birthday parties during 2013: Sid James and Peter Cushing, Cyril Fletcher and Percy Thrower, Danny Kaye and Burt Lancaster, Richard Nixon and Michael Foot, Jesse Owens and Gerald Ford, to name a few. “I am sure that some of these might have welcomed van users at their parties,” Steve said, “if it were not for the slight challenge that none of them is still with us.”
Steve Clarke concluded, “The Fuelcard People may not have been around for 100 years, but we are still here and still growing. Whatever van users may want to commemorate during 2013, we can help them to celebrate with low-cost diesel and petrol.”
The Fuelcard People
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