Signs-as is advertising or Signs-as in sign language????

OK, so ... the 'Sign' in the title of this chapter refers to the signs we see everywhere.  On roads, businesses, churches, bill boards, stores, restaurants and more.  Have you ever wondered what happens to signs when they become out dated or replaced?  I know I have never given it a thought myself!!  Well, here is one answer to that question - The American Sign Museum.

 

 

Cincinnati, Ohio's American Sign Museum brochure suggests, “Signs and sign making are a fascinating reflection of America through the years". One visit to this relatively unknown museum shows how true this is.  Our visit was a surprising and awesome experience.  The founder of this unique museum is Tod Swormstedt,  former editor and publisher of 'Signs of the Times' magazine. He, and those who work with him, have managed to capture the stories of these signs before they were lost to history.  Below are photos of several 'signs of the times' that I'm guessing many of you will remember seeing at some point in your life. Enjoy a trip down memory lane.

 

 

Yummm..I remember "Big Boy"

Who remembers all those Burma-Shave signs as we drove down country roads?

 

 Neon - new bright way to advertise

 

 Does this look familiar to any one out there?

 

This is not a neon sign, look closely and you will see individual light bulbs on a white background that makes this sign "pop"!!



 The 2 signs below were made from crushed glass.  I always thought signs like these were very pretty - expensive looking - but never realized the intricacies of how they were made.   

 A road of signs.

 

 

 The sign below was lit with gas.  As you can see there are gas pipes running up to the wick frames. 

 

 

Early signs  were often made in the shape of the business - like the one below for a watch maker.

 

 Below a Shoe Cobbler and a Haberdashery.

A very interesting museum. 

If your ever in Cincinnati be sure to look it up. 

Next stop - more of what Cincinnati has to offer....

More soon :)