In 1950, the United States government commissioned the Foundry to create 54 replicas of the famous Liberty Bell. These replicas were distributed to each of the 49 states at that time, as well as to the four U.S. territories: Alaska, Hawaii, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, as part of a U.S. Savings Bonds campaign. The government also gifted the 54th bell to the City of Annecy, France, in recognition of its art and craftsmanship, symbolizing that freedom is a shared heritage between the U.S. and France. Before reaching their final destinations, the bells toured their respective states in trucks decorated in red, white, and blue, provided by the Ford Motor Company.