CONTEST PROVES AMERICANS ARE CLUELESS ABOUT INVENTORS

CONTEST PROVES AMERICANS ARE CLUELESS ABOUT INVENTORS

PASADENA, Calif. (Wireless Flash) -- Need proof that Americans are brain-dead? Just ask the Planetary Society. The organization is currently sponsoring a "Name The Asteroid" contest and are asking folks to help rename an asteroid now known as "1992 KD" to a name that will honor a well-known inventor. The top prize is a $50 gift certificate but, so far, most of the submitted names are ineligible because they have nothing to do with inventors. -- One man suggests the asteroid be named "Erica" after an old flame. -- There's a woman who wants to name it "Gertie" after her pet cat who lived to the ripe old age of 18. -- Even stranger, one computer nerd is lobbying to name the asteroid "Mookie" in honor of his favorite character on "Deep Space 9."

CONTACT: Susan Lendroth, ***; Pasadena, CA; (626) 793-5100; Submit asteroid name by June 15th via e-mail to tps@mars.planetary.org