Massachusetts was the first state to issue license plates when automobile registration began in 1903.  This first issue, undated with the words "MASS. AUTOMOBILE REGISTER", was used through 1907.  A codfish was added in 1928 but quickly dropped when complaints arose about the fish swimming away from "MASS", in green water, no less.  A better-designed cod, swimming in blue water towards "MASS" appeared for 1929 but only on commercial truck plates; the political fallout was too great!  The earliest of the two currently valid base plates began issue in 1977.