COLUMBUS — State officials say that they are aware of a mishap in the design of Ohio’s new license plate and that it will be corrected before the new plates become available.
We are aware that the plane on the new Ohio license plate unveiled this morning was oriented in the wrong direction. We regret this mistake and have fixed the image. This is the correct design that will be reflected on all new plates issued to Ohio drivers. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/HAire7kr9M
— Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (@Ohio_BMV) October 21, 2021
The debut of the state’s first new license plate design in eight years failed to get off the ground after the illustration of a banner in flight proclaiming “Birthplace of Aviation” was attached to the wrong end of the Wright Brothers’ first plane.
The banner should have been trailing behind the plane but was attached to the front.
In the designer’s defense, the front of the Wright Flyer can easily be mistaken for its back because the propellers were at the back.
Governor Mike DeWine says the “Sunrise in Ohio” license plate pays tribute to Ohio’s “majestic waterways and rolling landscape” and the airplane symbolizes the state’s role in the development of manned flight.
A farm field represents Ohio’s strong roots in agriculture, while a skyline represents its momentum as a leader in technology and innovation.
A child swinging from a tree with a dog nearby symbolizes youth and future generations.
The plate is the fifth new design in the last 20 years, including the “Bicentennial” plate in 2001, the “Sunburst” plate in 2003, the “Beautiful Ohio” plate in 2009, and the “Ohio Pride” plate in 2013.