answer:It wasn’t started as a way to get autographs, but for someone to put a kind of “Get Well Soon” or “Good Luck!” message, where it would NOT be mis-placed, because some folks actually save their casts, after they are removed, as souvenirs. Lucille Ball (1911–89) did, then later gave it away to a loyal fan of hers. August 24, 2008, 1:19 PM EDT