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Universal Exports

007InVT007InVT Classified
edited April 2014 in Literary 007 Posts: 893
Does anyone know the genesis for Fleming choosing the name 'Universal Exports?

Comments

  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    I've looked around, but haven't found anything resembling a definitive answer. Maybe someone else can enlighten us?
  • 007InVT007InVT Classified
    Posts: 893
    This is all I could find: http://jamesbond.wikia.com/wiki/Universal_Exports
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    edited April 2014 Posts: 18,282
    Yes, I don't believe I've ever read any explanation into how Fleming came up with the secret service cover name either, although it does seem a tad obvious as an invented name for an export company to me at least. It's rather generic and suitably boring in nature so as not to arouse suspicion.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    Dragonpol wrote:
    Yes, I don't believe I've ever read any explanation intro how Fleming came up with the secret service cover name either, although it does seem a tad obvious as an invented name for an export company to me at least.

    Yeah, it was probably just like how he came up with the name of Bond. He looked around, saw a title or something that sparked the idea, and he just went with it.
  • JWESTBROOKJWESTBROOK
    Posts: 5,745
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    Dragonpol wrote:
    Yes, I don't believe I've ever read any explanation intro how Fleming came up with the secret service cover name either, although it does seem a tad obvious as an invented name for an export company to me at least.

    Yeah, it was probably just like how he came up with the name of Bond. He looked around, saw a title or something that sparked the idea, and he just went with it.

    I just did some research on import/export companies based out of UK, and there aren't very many large ones by my account. The big one I found was Tricor, and they claimed to be an investment company.

    I was hoping I'd find some company dating back enough to fit with Fleming's cover for MI6 and similarly titled to act as inspiration, but I found nothing.

    But you're right, @Brady. It's as generic as James Bland. It is exactly as it reads: Universal Exports. Boring enough to be skimmed over by the enemy until OHMSS, and then it eventually becomes Transworld Consortium. A little better *zing* to it.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    edited April 2014 Posts: 45,489
    http://proff.no/selskap/universal-exports-as/oslo/næringsmidler/Z0IB16P8/

    A wholesale company for foodstuffs and beverages, but as you can see by the figures, they have not done any business. Clearly a cover.
  • CommanderRossCommanderRoss The bottom of a pitch lake in Eastern Trinidad, place called La Brea
    edited April 2014 Posts: 8,266
    wholesale? flowerbulbs you mean...
    http://www.unexinc.com/

    but since '76, so Fleming was first.

    talking about Bond-related company names, this one is fun:

    http://www.kvk.nl/orderstraat/product-kiezen/?kvknummer=343486360000
  • YouHaveAnOddJobYouHaveAnOddJob
    Posts: 136
    Goldfinger Thai Massage, haha that's great!
  • Villiers53Villiers53
    Posts: 802
    I think, although don't kill me if I'm wrong, one of Fleming's friends worked for a company with a very similar name.
    I say this because I've just read the opus that is Andrew Lycett's Ian Fleming and I'm pretty sure it's mentioned their.
    That said, I found the book a bit of a chore and have no desire to dive back in so if any of you other aficionados out there have any ideas — fire away.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,282
    Villiers53 wrote:
    I think, although don't kill me if I'm wrong, one of Fleming's friends worked for a company with a very similar name.
    I say this because I've just read the opus that is Andrew Lycett's Ian Fleming and I'm pretty sure it's mentioned their.
    That said, I found the book a bit of a chore and have no desire to dive back in so if any of you other aficionados out there have any ideas — fire away.

    Well, that's certainly the best lead that we've had thus far, @Villiers53. Thank you.
  • 007InVT007InVT Classified
    Posts: 893
    Thanks @Villiers53

    Seems there's not much to it really. One of those things.
  • RC7RC7
    Posts: 10,512
    I was always under the assumption UE was used as a kind of vague catch-all that allowed MI6 access to every possible avenue. Evidenced by Bond's interest in acquiring a carcharodon carcharias in LTK. A vague export business who can enquire about literally anything. Good cover.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,282
    RC7 wrote:
    I was always under the assumption UE was used as a kind of vague catch-all that allowed MI6 access to every possible avenue. Evidenced by Bond's interest in acquiring a carcharodon carcharias in LTK. A vague export business who can enquire about literally anything. Good cover.

    Good point. As I said it is rather generic and boring - but that was precisely what was needed s cover so it fitted like a glove.
  • LudovicoLudovico
    Posts: 15,127
    RC7 wrote:
    I was always under the assumption UE was used as a kind of vague catch-all that allowed MI6 access to every possible avenue. Evidenced by Bond's interest in acquiring a carcharodon carcharias in LTK. A vague export business who can enquire about literally anything. Good cover.

    That is how I understand it too.
  • UniversalExportUniversalExport
    Posts: 40
    I look at it as a great cover company name - as one said before - it could be used as any business in general, so he got a lot of opportunities with it)

    (sorry for my poor english writing - am from switzerland :) )
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,282
    UniversalExport wrote:
    I look at it as a great cover company name - as one said before - it could be used as any business in general, so he got a lot of opportunities with it)

    (sorry for my poor english writing - am from switzerland :) )

    Well I knew that you would have an opinion on this @UniversalExport! And of course, your opinion is spot on.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Who better to answer it?
  • UniversalExportUniversalExport
    Posts: 40
    :D I joined this board one day ago and i feel home already.. its not very usual on the net.. at least in my experience.. i drink one on you guys.. but sry for the offtopic post.. but it had to be said :)
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    edited April 2014 Posts: 45,489
    You are home alone.
    ;)) Just kidding.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,282
    UniversalExport wrote:
    :D I joined this board one day ago and i feel home already.. its not very usual on the net.. at least in my experience.. i drink one on you guys.. but sry for the offtopic post.. but it had to be said :)

    That's what makes MI6 Community the best Bond fora on the web as it is a true community in every sense of the word.
  • UniversalExportUniversalExport
    Posts: 40
    Dragonpol wrote:
    UniversalExport wrote:
    :D I joined this board one day ago and i feel home already.. its not very usual on the net.. at least in my experience.. i drink one on you guys.. but sry for the offtopic post.. but it had to be said :)

    That's what makes MI6 Community the best Bond fora on the web as it is a true community in every sense of the word.

    Word. Am glad to be a part of it.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,282
    UniversalExport wrote:
    Dragonpol wrote:
    UniversalExport wrote:
    :D I joined this board one day ago and i feel home already.. its not very usual on the net.. at least in my experience.. i drink one on you guys.. but sry for the offtopic post.. but it had to be said :)

    That's what makes MI6 Community the best Bond fora on the web as it is a true community in every sense of the word.

    Word. Am glad to be a part of it.

    We're glad to have you, @UniversalExport. We're a friendly bunch here once you get to know us!
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Dragonpol wrote:
    UniversalExport wrote:
    Dragonpol wrote:
    UniversalExport wrote:
    :D I joined this board one day ago and i feel home already.. its not very usual on the net.. at least in my experience.. i drink one on you guys.. but sry for the offtopic post.. but it had to be said :)

    That's what makes MI6 Community the best Bond fora on the web as it is a true community in every sense of the word.

    Word. Am glad to be a part of it.

    We're glad to have you, @UniversalExport. We're a friendly bunch here once you get to know us!

    Except... no i will not go there.
  • QBranchQBranch Always have an escape plan. Mine is watching James Bond films.
    Posts: 14,593
    Dragonpol wrote:
    That's what makes MI6 Community the best Bond fora on the web as it is a true community in every sense of the word.
    I completely agree. It's pretty good for a fora.
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