The Future of Science Funding ?

We know it from modern sports how important merchandising and branding is. Could this be a future why to attract funding for science. An unoffical site for the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe is taking exactly this approach.
Have a look at this webpage. However it is not clear from the webpage how the millions of dollars made are spent. It clearly has not accelerated the release of the 2nd year WMAP data, we all wait so eagerly for. Could this be a future way to fund science, or just pay for the coffee we drink all day long ? I think we have to wait and see.
In any case it brings science into the public. Not just by spotting a T-shirt with a messy hair Einstein on it. Having a thong or boxer shorts spotting a picture of the WMAP satellite or the cosmic microwave background, can't be just a big turn on for science geeks like me. Let's wait and see how this new branding idea takes off.

So long.
J

Comments

[Robert]

At some point, Sean Carrol posted about a WMAP inflatable beach ball. Isn't that much cooler than a T-shirt or a sticker?

http://preposterousuniverse.blogspot.com/2004/05/inflating-universe.html

[Jochen Weller]

Hi Robert

I find it much cooler, but I can not find it
for purchase anywhere.

Cheers
J

[Rachel]

Hi Jochen,

I really liked the WMAP merchandise. There's nothing wrong with a little creative marketing. I'm doing my own informal "2005 World Year of Physics North American Particle Accelerator Tour", (visiting Brookhaven next week, Fermilab in September) and I'm thinking of having t-shirts made. It would be nice for us physics groupies to have a better selection of stuff to wear. How about a funky fresh pink Fermilab camisole? How cool would that be? And if buying a Fermilab or Brookhaven RHIC thong keeps you guys in coffee, sign me up.