What is a skunkworks?

Whatis.com describes a skunkworks as: "A group of people who, in order to achieve unusual results, work on a project in a way that is outside the usual rules."

"A skunkworks is often a small team that assumes or is given responsibility for developing something in a short time with minimal management constraints. . . A skunkworks project may be secret."

Where does the term come from? Newton's Telecom Dictionary has this to say: "Term for usually-secret high-pressure/high-tech research group in a company or government, often populated by people who don't see much sunlight or soap. Hence the name, skunkworks."

While the passage about sunlight and soap is amusing, it isn't quite correct.

The term "skunkworks" was originally taken from "the Skonk Works" — the name of the illegal still in the L'il Abner comic strip — to represent something special brewing in the back room.

Since then, the terminology has been used by several companies and organizations in aviation, high technology and government to denote teams of elite personnel gathered together to get high-priority jobs done quickly and well.

We have chosen the name Skunkworks Creative Group to reflect our focus on innovative clients who are prepared for new ideas and who demand creative, results-focused advertising.