Of license plates and double-helix strands

The strand pattern on Kansas and Missouri license plates had me curious. I found out others were curious as well, so I went on a little investigation to find the intelligent designer behind it.



The double-helix like pattern runs vertically in the center of the license plate, and shifts to the left or right of center depending on the State. The same pattern emerges horizontally on European plates.

(except KS and MO, collection courtesy of MySpace user Paradigm440)

I wanted to know who put the design there and for what purpose. Others online (Cliffie, Eric, Sandra, Paradigm440) across the United States found the pattern intriguing and had the same question. Who wouldn't? The pattern is three dimensional, and 3-D patterns that conform even vaguely to a double-helix strand of DNA don't just appear by chance or randomness. We could say that these strands just appeared over time without noone's involvement but that would be silly. Some intelligent designer had to place it there for a purpose, and people are naturally curious about purpose. Since the pattern emerges on more than one license plate across a wide geographic area, the design must originate from the plate manufacturer and not the individual states. The 3-D design being part of the thin layer glued to the metal points to a very savvy adhesive manufacturer and 3M® comes to mind almost immediately.

The Pattern
The threads conform to a certain kind of pattern that is improbable on its own, and therefore implies a designer. The pattern was indeed created by 3M®, the same company who gave us the Post-It® notes. I spoke with Jackie Brown with 3M®, and she emailed me the 3M Ensure Brochure which explains the design. As opposed to the highly speculated DNA Double Helix, the pattern in question is actually two sinusoidal waves and is called the Ensure Virtual Security Thread™.

As 3M® describes, "One wave appears to float above while the second wave floats below the warranty marks within the retroreflective material of the license plate" giving the 3-D appearance.

The Purpose
As the 3M® document states, this helps combat license plate counterfeiting while protecting public safety and revenue. 3M® Ensure Virtual Security Thread™ is visible in daylight and retro-reflected at night. This way it is easily seen by law enforcement agents. Terrorists and thieves are known to use plate numbers that match the vehicles they are using to fool law enforcement.

The Designer
3M Traffic Safety Systems
3M Center, Building 235-3A-09
St. Paul, MN 55144-1000
1-800-553-1380

Reflection
Patterns are curious things. We want to study them, know where they come from, find what their purposes are. When we see patterns in the biological world we must ask ourselves the same questions. Why should our thinking processes be different than at any other time? If we love and pursue truth, we go where the evidence leads. If a strand on a license plate has you wondering about purpose, what do you think of this?