ON THIS DAY: December 27, 1975, Terrible Towel invented by Myron Cope

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — One of the most iconic items in sports today, the Terrible Towel was born on Dec. 27, 1975 by Myron Cope while working as sportscaster at a local radio station.

Officials with the Steelers said the account was chronicled in the late Cope’s book, “Double Yoi!”

Cope, an icon himself in local sports history, wrote he was called into the station general manager’s office and was told he had better come up with some sort of gimmick. He only had a few months left on his contract.

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Cope urged fans to bring yellow dish towels to the game and wave them.

Nearing kickoff for the next game on a rainy, cold day, Cope wrote, tens of thousands of towels were waving in the air around the stadium and the legend of the towel was born.

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AFC Championship Game: Pittsburgh Steelers v Denver Broncos DENVER - JANUARY 22: A fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates with a "terrible towel" after the Steelers defeated the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game on January 22, 2006 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. The Steelers defeated the Broncos 34-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Elsa/Getty Images)

AFC Divisional Playoffs: Pittsburgh Steelers v Indianapolis Colts INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 15: Pittsburgh Steelers' fans Nick Costinzo, Robert Lang, Sean Bienemanon and Vince Bonacci hold up a 'terrible towel' in support of their team while they tailgate outside of the RCA Dome prior to the Steelers AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts January 15, 2006 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Ryder Cup Trophy Tour At Pittsburgh Steelers Game PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 16: U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Jim Furyk leads fans in the Terrible Towel Twirl prior to the start of the game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs while on a stop of the Ryder Cup Trophy Tour at Heinz Field on September 16, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) (Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

The Steelers embraced the towels and printed scores of gold towels with black lettering proclaiming them “Myron Cope’s Official Terrible Towel” in time for Super Bowl X in January 1976.

In 1996, Cope gave the rights to the Terrible Towel to the Allegheny Valley School in the Pittsburgh suburb of Coraopolis. Proceeds from sales help to fund the school, which serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

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Myron Cope ** FILE ** Pittsburgh Steelers broadcaster Myron Cope works the Steelers game against the New York Jets at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, in this Dec. 12, 2004 file photo. Myron Cope, the screechy-voiced announcer whose colorful catch phrases and twirling Terrible Towel became symbols of the Pittsburgh Steelers during an unrivaled 35 seasons in the broadcast booth, died Wednesday Feb. 27, 2008 in Mount Lebanon, Pa.. He was 79. (AP Photo/Keith B. Srakocic) (KEITH B. SRAKOCIC/AP)

Myron Cope ** FILE ** Retired Pittsurgh Steelers radio announcer Myron Cope smiles during a ceremony in his honor before the Monday Night Football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Pittsburgh, in this Oct. 31, 2005 file photo. Myron Cope, the screechy-voiced announcer whose colorful catch phrases and twirling Terrible Towel became symbols of the Pittsburgh Steelers during an unrivaled 35 seasons in the broadcast booth, died Wednesday Feb. 27, 2008 in Mount Lebanon, Pa.. He was 79.(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, FILE) (GENE J. PUSKAR/AP)

Myron Cope Longtime Pittsburgh Steelers radio broadcaster Myron Cope, right, receives a game ball from Steelers President Art Rooney III, at a news conference where Cope announced his reirement from the booth in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, June 21, 2005. Cope, known for his screeching, nasal delivery of exclamations such as "Yoi!" and "Double Yoi!" has broadcast games on the Steelers Radio Network since 1970. He also created the Terrible Towel, a black-and-gold good-luck charm that fans wave at games. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) (KEITH SRAKOCIC/AP)

Myron Cope Longtime Pittsburgh Steelers radio broadcaster Myron Cope smiles at a news conference where Cope announced his reirement from the booth in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, June 21, 2005. Cope, known for his screeching, nasal delivery of exclamations such as "Yoi!" and "Double Yoi!" has broadcast games on the Steelers Radio Network since 1970. He also created the Terrible Towel, a black-and-gold good-luck charm that fans wave at games. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) (KEITH SRAKOCIC/AP)

Today, the Terrible Towel can be found in the standard gold with black lettering, in a camouflage edition, in special editions for various holidays, in pink for Breast Cancer Awareness, as a full-length beach towel and printed in various languages. It’s been taken to the peak of Mount Everest and blasted into space to the International Space Station.

Meet Myron Cope's Son Danny Meet Myron Cope's Son Danny

ON THIS DAY: December 27, 1975, Terrible Towel invented by Myron Cope

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