The UN sponsored a competition to see which nation could produce the best book on elephants.
- The British submitted a dry historical account titled "The Elephant and the British Empire."
- The French submitted a text called "The Sensuality of the Elephant — a Personal Account."
- The Germans submitted 47 volumes entitled "An Elementary Introduction to the Foundation of the Science of the Elephant's Ear."
- The Americans submitted an article from Money magazine: "Elephants — the Perfect Tax Shelter for the 80s."
- Greenpeace submitted a counter-entry: "Elephants — They're Better Than People."
- The Russians submitted a terse manuscript titled "The Superiority of the Soviet Elephant."
- But the Japanese won with their promotional flier: "We Have No Elephants, but Wouldn't You Want to Buy a Honda Instead?"