From a 1990 Jeep press release: “1940-1946: The Search Begins: Military Production: In a 1940s memo to Willy-Overland officials from Col. A W. Herrington of the Marmon-Herrington Co., Herrington called both the origin of the Jeep itself and its name the subjects of controversy.
“‘The reasons are obvious,’ wrote Herrington. ‘The prestige of the Jeep as the most remarkable vehicular development in 50 years of automotive history is an invaluable asset to any individual or firm which can claim credit for it.’
“That perhaps was the emotive understatement of the past 50 years.
“As early as 1938, as hostilities began to flair in Western Europe, the U.S. Army put the word out to tall automobile manufacturers they were searching for a light reconnaissance vehicle to replace the motorized tricycle side-car combination traditionally used for messenger and advance reconnaissance duties.
“Answering that call …”
