Bugs Bunny

USA (via the Bronx and Brooklyn)

Bugs is intelligent, funny, inventive, resourceful, independent, brave, talented and an unregenerate smartass. What's more American than that? He's comfortable in any setting, quick to adapt to changing circumstances and able outwit his opponents using his native cunning. He's our own Trickster (like Br'er Rabbit?), an American Asansi with a classic New York accent.

Leanne

World Trade Center

New York, NY

Superseded Empire State Building (another American icon) as world's tallest building(s) when built. Defined NYC skyline, and American power internationally. Embodiment of America's "second Pearl Harbor", 9/11/2001, site soon to be a national memorial park. With such a history, how could it not be an American icon?

Jim

Zippo lighter

Bradford, Pennsylvania

Such a simple lasting product that has been lost amongst the disposable culture.

Mitch

Warner Sallman's Picture of Jesus

Anderson, IN

This is the most famous picture of Jesus ever painted. According to warnersallman.com it has been reproduced over 500 million times. In terms of American visual piety, there is no more central religious image. Churches and Christian schools in America very often have, if no other picture, this painting hanging on the wall. At the seminary where I teach it hangs in nearly every classroom.

It is also a distinctly American image, picturing Jesus with dirty blond hair, white skin, and a rugged, Marlboro-man bone structure. Like many American icons, it sits at the intersection of important ideas and bad taste.

I highly recommend covering this American icon. For more, check out the book "Visual Piety" by David Morgan.

Philip

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Mississippi River

Possibly the greatest novel by any American writer-- and one that almost everyone has read.

Jamie

Transamerica pyramid

San Francisco CA

When you see it, you know you're in San Francisco and nowhere else.

Jamie

The harmonica

In everyone's pocket (including Abraham Lincoln's)

The music played on it is a unique American creation reflecting the soul and feeling of a Nation.

Gary

Ansel Adams

California

He has Documented america in a heroic way

Michael

Sam Colt

Hartford, CT

“God made man, Sam Colt made them equal.” No matter where you fall on the gun control spectrum, the impact of Sam Colt on American society is immeasurable. From the creation of manufacturing with interchangeable parts, to the World War II icon, the Colt model 1911 .45 caliber pistol; it is impossible to go anywhere in this country without seeing the fingerprint of Sam Colt in American life. Additionally, his manufacturing methods were the prerequisites to other titans like Henry Ford. Today, 173 years after his first patent, the Colt’s Manufacturing Company still produces the 1873 Single Action Army revolver.

Adam

r.crumb and zap comix

s.f., CA

specifically because of my passion for the black and white, pen & ink drawings of the underground comix, and, mainly, its' superstar, robert crumb, i cannot produce anything for the above two sections. however, with a little help from my friends, please view a collection of my drawings
www.undergroundcomixart.com

eric

the banjo

everywhere

The banjo is the only stringed instrument native to this country. It is multi-cultural,woven through our musical history from early slaves,old time music which lead to bluegrass, the folk period to use in modern day bands. The banjo and the music was exchanged between the north/south/mountains/flatlands/black/white.

Sara Robbins

The Fender Guitar

Corona, California

The Fender Guitar company created the iconic sound and image of the second half of the 20th century. It epitomized the rock and roll and new america. Leo Fender created a new type of guitar that was easy to use and maintain with a bolt on neck and plenty of adjustments.

The Fender Stratocaster in particular is an object lesson in beautiful and practical design. The curves are sexy and make the guitar comfortable to use. Even though I prefer to play a Telecaster I have a Stratocaster around just to feel and admire.

When I visited Europe in the 70's and 80's California and Rock and Roll were the only thing that the kids knew of America.

Steve

NFL Films

Philadelphia

You'd be hard pressed to find an American male under 60 who hasn't imagined himself running in slow motion to the music of NFL Films in his backyard; in addition, the style and approach of these films has changed the way America expects to see sports.

Richard

Dorthea Lange's Migrant Mother

Imperial Valley, CA

I know it's not a book, movie, song, play or building but when I think "American Icon" this is the first image that pops into my mind.

The face of the great depression, Dorthea Lange's Migrant Mother is the most reproduced image of the 20th century. It has been reproduced and reinterpreted many times over - even into images which alter the woman's cultural identity (a drawing in which she is African American or a painting in which she is Latina).

This image ultimately helped bring about great social change and gave a face to those who suffered and were living and dying in poverty in the great depression. The tight composition of the image really makes it iconic in a way that a longer shot never would. Lange made five other images the day she made this photograph but none had the same iconic power of this dramatic, close-up image.

Sally

The I-beam

Bethlehem, PA

The I-beam is the embodiment of strength, efficiency and durability in our infrastructure and economy. It connects the exploration and exploitation of the 19th century with the monument construction of the first half of the 20th century. Rusted and half-forgotten, rising from the World Trade Center wreckage, or shipped in from overseas the I-beam remains a comparative constant in our self-image. The I-beam doesn't change; we change and the the variance gives us perspective.

Although originally patented in Belgium, in America the I-beam is closely associated with the, now largely defunct, Bethlehem Steel Corp. of Bethlehem, PA (cue Billie Joel's "Allentown").

Stefan

purple mountains majesty

Aspen, CO

The Rocky Mountains are a symbol of the American west but also an iconic symbol of the rugged individual spirit that typifies Americans

Trevor

To Kill a Mockingbird

Monroeville, Al

Growing up in the south, I didn't know that it mattered to so many people how differently white and black people were treated. Until I read the book, I never even thought about. Also didn't know that the reasons for this treatment and the acceptance of this treatment was viewed as unacceptable by a vast majority of my fellow southerns. This book reflects the horrors of unacceptance and the reluctance of many to step forward and stand up for what they believe. The words on these pages can and should make each reader exam their own inner core beliefs and acceptance practices that's why I belive this book is an American Icon.

Paula

The Supremes

Detroit, MI

Every decade has its musical phenomenon. The 60s had Motown, and Motown had The Supremes. The Supremes set the standard for female groups, becoming the 3rd biggest selling act of the 60s. They opened the doors for the African American acts that would follow. The Supremes were THE top American act of the decade. They became cultural icons. Their image and legacy is enduring.

Tom Ingrassia

Tom Waits

NY, NY? Unsure really

His music & song writing is brilliant, unique & his voice is impossible to copy. He combines the harsh, raspy, jarring quality of his vocals with the sweet, delicate & beautiful lyrics that create a moving polarity in his music. There has yet to be an artist that has affected me so much with his art! His work withstands the true test of time and his artistry is second to none!

Janine

The Grand Canyon

Near Flagstaff, AZ

Like an earthy metaphor for the American myth, the Canyon has created itself through sheer persistence. Carving its way down; the life source water, leaving the land forever changed and forever changing, ancient and modern, rushing or ambling always Westward.

Dan