All over bar the shooting

In 1925, the German government issued an order that all police officers in Berlin should wear bulletproof vests in the city. This was not a welcomed decision as the police felt it would increase insecurity amongst existing officers and any would be potential converts to the force.

In an attempt to avert argument, the government brought in none other than Jim Moran to create a publicity drive to turn the unwelcome decision around. Moran, in his inimitable style, came up with a stunt that both stunned and entertained not only Berlin, but the whole of Germany. The German manufacturer of the bulletproof vest that had been commissioned by the government, made a second to none vest for a this very special stunt. Moran sent out a series of invitations through local and national newspapers, to a “public shooting”.

The Berlin Police held that the vests were indestructible, incapable of penetration by a bullet. In response, Moran offered a reward of 1 million U.S. dollars to anyone who managed to kill someone wearing the vest. His invitation extended to anyone over the age of 21, who could bring their own gun, or use a special military gun. The whole of Germany was talking about the event, and the bulletproof vest company was inundated with photographer and journalists. The Berlin Police department changed their opinion about wearing the vests and they became the talk of the national police force. Strangely enough, Jim Moran didn’t received one offer from anyone to take up his unconventional challenge.