Excerpt of the original photograph which later became an internet meme.

The Bernie Sanders mittens meme refers to a photograph of Bernie Sanders, a U.S. senator from Vermont and former presidential candidate, seated during the inauguration of Joe Biden and wearing a face mask and distinctive mittens, which went viral.[1] The photograph became an internet meme, inspiring altered versions in which Sanders was placed in historical photographs and other humorous contexts. The popularity of the meme resulted in increased visibility for Sanders and demand for the mittens.

Background

When the inauguration of Joe Biden occurred on January 20, 2021, a photograph of Vermont senator and former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders was taken by Agence France-Presse photographer Brendan Smialowski.[2] It depicts a masked Sanders sitting on a folding chair, spaced apart from other attendees. He is wearing winter clothing, most noticeably a large, fluffy pair of mittens, which were made by Vermont elementary school teacher Jen Ellis.[1] The photograph became a popular internet meme.[3][4][5]

Memes and merchandise

The photograph led to a number of edited and altered versions, in which Sanders was placed into various popular and historical photographs, in a manner similar to that used in the tourist guy meme,[6] including into scenes from Batman, Star Trek and Wayne's World. A website was created to allow the picture of Sanders to be placed into any Google Street View photograph.[7] Subsequently, merchandise was manufactured using the photo; this included plates, T-shirts, stickers, and wine glasses.[8] Sanders responded good-naturedly to the meme and its various derivatives,[9] and he decided to sell sweatshirts featuring the photograph to raise money for charity;[10] the proceeds amounted to at least $1.8 million.[11]

As a result of the meme, Ellis received thousands of request for the mittens;[12] although she had stopped regularly making mittens, she took advantage of the publicity to make three pairs to be auctioned for charity and her daughter's college fund.[12] Ellis has collaborated with Darn Tough Socks to produce a range of socks with the same pattern as the mittens, the proceeds of which will go towards food banks in Vermont.[8][13] Knitting writer Kate Atherley welcomed the interest in mittens resulting from the meme and in an article in The Guardian gave details on how to create a similar pair of mittens.[14] The Burton Snowboards jacket worn by Sanders has also increased its popularity, leading to the company donating 50 of them to the Burlington Department for Children and Families.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 "Bernie Sanders spawns splash of memes with inaugural attire". Associated Press. January 21, 2021. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Photographer who took Bernie Sanders mittens snap says shot is 'not that nice': 'I'm not going to put it in a portfolio'". The Independent. January 26, 2021. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  3. ↑ Cooper, Gael. "Bernie Sanders' inauguration mittens meme: The funniest versions". CNET. Archived from the original on January 23, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  4. ↑ "The mittens that resonated around the world". Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 23, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  5. ↑ Martin Belam (January 21, 2021). "'You just can't get everything you want': Bernie Sanders' mittens not for sale". The Guardian. Archived from the original on January 23, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  6. ↑ Kipling, Ella (January 21, 2021). "How To Put Bernie In A Picture". HITC. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Bernie Sanders' inauguration mittens meme won't quit: The funniest versions". C-Net. January 24, 2021. Archived from the original on January 30, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  8. 1 2 3 "10 funny gifts inspired by the Bernie Sanders mittens meme". NBC News. January 28, 2021. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  9. ↑ Reilly, Nick (January 22, 2021). "Yes, Bernie Sanders has seen all of your inauguration memes". NME. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  10. ↑ Ritschel, Chelsea (January 22, 2021). "Bernie Sanders is selling inauguration meme sweatshirts for charity". The Independent. Archived from the original on January 23, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  11. ↑ Rathke, Lisa (January 28, 2021). "Bernie Sanders' mittens, memes help raise $1.8M for charity". Associated Press. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  12. 1 2 "Meet the woman behind Bernie Sanders' famous mittens". BBC News. January 27, 2021. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Bernie Sanders' mitten creator is making socks inspired by the famous meme". C-NET. January 27, 2021. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  14. ↑ "How to make Bernie Sanders' inauguration mittens". The Guardian. January 25, 2021. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
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