Signs have been with us from just about the beginning. The earliest known sign is a cross-hatching design found in South Africa at a place called Blombos Cave.
Ever since, signs have been multiplying all around us, informing us and vying for our attention. The Greeks and Romans used signs with imagery due to the illiteracy of the population. In 1389, landlords in England were required to put signs outside their buildings. The law said, "Whosoever shall brew ale in the town with intention of selling it must hang out a sign, otherwise he shall forfeit his ale."
The term sign comes from the Latin 'signum' meaning an "identifying mark, token, indication, or symbol.” They have come a long way from markings on rocks. Signmaking has become an art form. Anything and everything has been used to capture our attention and draw us in to places where things are sold or displayed.
Sign, sign
Everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery
Breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that
Can't you read the sign?
Five Man Electrical Band (1971)
I don’t know of anywhere that this is shown more clearly than the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio. Over 200 different signs and other objects are displayed in the museum, but they catalogue many more which can be viewed online.
The museum was founded in 1999 as the Sign of the Times museum, but was renamed in 2005. It moved to its current location in 2012, and a 20,000 sq. ft. expansion was finished in 2024. It is now in a large space suitable to display its many sign varieties.
The museum includes items from the 1900s to the recent past, and brings back a flood of memories, from the Golden Arches of McDonalds to the classic green Holiday Inn signs. The museum hosts special events for sign artists to display their crafts, from hand painted signage to gold leaf designs on windows.
Signs got a big push forward in 1910 when neon tubes were displayed by Georges Claude at the Paris Auto Show. Soon neon lights were everywhere, creating displays like Times Square in New York.
Leaving the museum, I couldn’t help but notice just how many signs are all around us — from highway billboards to directional road signs, they are everywhere. Many communities have passed strict signage ordinances to avoid the “sign pollution” problems that used to be common.
We may never see another giant HOLLYWOOD sign, but I’m sure advertisers will find other ways to get our attention.
I don’t know about this. You’ll have to tell me.
Hi Bob, do you like to watch the Pickers and their discovery of old signs? Have you ever been to their store where they sell some of the old signs they've found? I've been to the one in Dubuque, Iowa. Very cool experience!