SIGN LIGHTING BY LEONARD G. SHEPARD I have made no attempt to find a record of the first sign. It is well known that signs have been in common use for centuries and many of these were undoubtedly more or less illuminated. The sign of this age, with which we have to do is the sign made possible by the modern electric lamps. It was probably about 1880 that signs of this type began to be used. To appreciate the present-day development, it will be well to know something of the earlier electric signs and their construction. In 1883 a temporary sign reading "Welcome" was made by placing the old style wooden base sockets on a wooden background. The wiring between sockets was done on the back of the sign. The letters were 2 ft. in height and were formed of 16 candle-power lamps, spaced about 6 in. apart. In 1884, an electric sign reading "Boston Oyster House" was designed for more permanent use. To make the sockets weatherproof they were filled with putty and the wire being the old style known as underwriters wire was wrapped with tape. The sign body and frame were made entirely of wood and over all a glass case was built like an ordinary show case. The lamps of that time had large plaster-of-Paris bases which were protected in this sign by covering them with soft rubber bands which covered also the outer end of the sockets. A double-faced sign made about this time reading "Dime Museum" is said to have been about 12 ft. long, 3 ft. high and 2 or 3 ft. thick with 18-in. letters made up of electric lamps. Its clumsy bulk made it look like a dog house hung up over the sidewalk. It is interesting to note that the electric flag sign, patriotically displayed throughout this country in the last year was anticipated twenty-eight years ago at the convention in Chicago where a sign. made up with miniature or candelabra lamps was flashed on during the singing of the "Star Spangled Banner." One of the first flashing signs was made for the World's Fair in 1893. The letters were 4 ft. high and of skeleton construction attached to a wire mesh backing. The mechanism which flashed on one letter at a time was a crude affair made entirely of wood with brass strips and bronze contact brushes. It was operated by a 4-hp. motor. It is said that almost as much light came from the arcing of the flasher contacts as from the sign. The sign was considered so dangerous that a man was kept constantly in attendance. Possibly the largest electric sign ever made was constructed in 1899 during the reception to Admiral Dewey on his return from Manila. Letters 50 ft. high reading "Welcome Dewey" were placed on the Brooklyn Bridge and could be read from Staten Island five miles away. There was no background, the lamps being arranged on streamers to form the letters. No sockets were used, the leadingin wires from the lamps which were made up without bases being so connected that five lamps were put in series, the total electromotive force used being 550 volt. The lamps, of which over 8000 were required were spaced 12 in. apart throughout. This sign represented a remarkable example of series wiring. It must be remembered that the failure of a single lamp would have made a dark section 5 ft. long in the outline of the letter. MODERN SIGN TYPES The illuminated sign of to-day is made in so many different varieties and is used in such varying surroundings that it will be necessary to classify and explain briefly the construction of the several types to give an adequate idea of the state to which the industry has developed. Roof signs (see Figs. 1 and 2) may be taken as including all the large, more or less, skeleton types installed above the roof level. In these signs the steel supporting structure or framework is usually the most important item. To place the electrical display at a proper height and in the best location from an advertising standpoint often requires a considerable structure and frequently too, it is necessary to reinforce the building and to carry the anchorage members way below the roof. This is mentioned, because at night the framework is not seen and no idea of the investment involved can be obtained without a full appreciation of this item. The electrical work required to connect the sign parts to the nearest service including the installation of the flasher and fuse blocks depends more upon the flashing effects than upon the size of the sign. The sign proper or sign face is usually quite simple in construction |