Outdoor signs that shimmer in the wind
Weltanscha
wind blows across it. I don't know much about how such signs are
made, but they seem to be formed by rows and columns of closely-spaced
sequin-like elements, loosely attached to the sign with nails or
somesuch so they are free to wiggle in the wind. The idea is that all
the motion attracts the eye. I like the effect, when not too gaudy,
because you can see the pattern of the gusts, like wind in wheat.
These signs are hard to find around here (Chicago) now, though I seem
to remember more of them (and larger ones) when I was a kid. I've
been trying to find information about them, how to make them, etc.
But so far I haven't had any luck. Does anyone have any ideas about
places to look to get information?
- Tom
For a great set of links about "Dr." Laura "I'm a priest and my
mission is to help God perfect the world" Schlessinger, please visit:
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S. Whitmore
(Weltanscha) wrote:
> These signs are hard to find around here (Chicago) now, though I
> seem to remember more of them (and larger ones) when I was a kid.
> I've been trying to find information about them, how to make them,
> etc. But so far I haven't had any luck. Does anyone have any ideas
> about places to look to get information?
When I was very young (or possibly before I was born), my father was
involved in a little entrepreneurial venture that ended up as a dead
end. That business was making signs such as you describe, under the
brand name Lumalite (or something like that). If I understand
correctly, he and his partner got into it right as neon was taking off
as a sign medium. I'm almost positive that what you are describing is
what they were intending to make.
The reflective elements are aluminum discs of about a half-inch
diameter, silver on one side and optionally colored on the other (red,
blue, etc.). Each disc has a hole in it (or maybe the hole is created
upon mounting), and there are strips of "hooks" that the discs hang
from. When I was growing up I remember seeing a lot of pre-cut
letters, some with discs mounted and some not, along with boxes and
boxes of other supplies, and some machinery as well, all going to
waste in my parents' barn.
Anyway, other than to mention that my dad still has a bunch of scrap
aluminum at his place (in the Seattle/Tacoma area of Washington
State), I don't know if I can be of much help, other than what I've
written above. Feel free to drop me a line if you want, though.
(Same goes to anyone who wants to salvage aluminum scrap from what
little remains of my parents' barn!)
--
S. Whitmore (rattl...@uninova.zzn.com)
Want to make money online? First step, don't make newcomer mistakes!
Get up to speed fast (and free!) at: http://www.uninova.com/chime/
Walter Daniels
welta...@aol.comsnipthis (Weltanscha) wrote:
> There is a kind of outdoor advertising sign that shimmers...
Although I am not In the sign business, I do learn from it. I
haven't seen many of these lately, probably due to the costs involved.
There are a number of ways you can get more info. 1)Talk to sign
makers (larger and older companies); 2)Attend the US Sign Council
trade show in December <http://www.ussc.org/>; 3)Sign up with a sign
franchising business. I don't recommend #3, for obvious reasons.
The sign industry is moving away from them because the labor is so
high. You have to lay out the letters, drill the holes, place the "doo
dads" (pardon me for getting technical here :-)), then mount the sign
in place. With a large sign/vinyl cutter you can design and place the
letters more rapidly, but the detail work is still there. If you want
it for personal use, a sign shop *might* sell you the materials to
DIY. If you go that route. Get a good electric drill and bits, plus a
guide that fastens to the drill itself. Mark *carefully* and drill
once. :-)
You can also contact Sign Business Magazine through
<http://www.nbm.com/>. If you are in the Columbus Oh, area next june,
attend the B.I.G. (Best In Graphics) Show. If you go to the BIG, stay
at a hotel near the convention center if you can. The CC's concept of
parking management is like a bilge pump. This is from personal
experience, THIK
(That's How I Know).
Junior Bodine
north of Columbus. I think the company name was simply Outdoor
Advertising. Maybe you could track them down and talk to them. They
might even have a lead for someone in your area that uses them.
--
Weltanscha <welta...@aol.comsnipthis> wrote in message
news:RmfjN5m5jhAYxN...@news.euro.net...
Mark Metcalf
aluminum foil, are not practicable for outdoor use, especially in
Windy City!
They are very popular in India, where labor costs, thus maintenance
costs, are dirt cheap.
Respectfully
Mark Metcalf Chief Executive NRNF
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Weltanscha
> Although I am not In the sign business, I do learn from it. I
> haven't seen many of these lately, probably due to the costs
> involved. There are a number of ways you can get more info. 1)Talk to
> sign makers (larger and older companies); 2)Attend the US Sign
> Council trade show in December <http://www.ussc.org/>; 3)Sign up with
> a sign franchising business. I don't recommend #3, for obvious
> reasons.
Thanks for the very good suggestions. I don't think I'll be able to
make the December show, I'm afraid.
> The sign industry is moving away from them because the labor is so
> high. You have to lay out the letters, drill the holes, place the
> "doo dads" (pardon me for getting technical here :-)), then mount the
> sign in place. With a large sign/vinyl cutter you can design and
> place the letters more rapidly, but the detail work is still there.
> If you want it for personal use, a sign shop *might* sell you the
> materials to DIY. If you go that route. Get a good electric drill and
> bits, plus a guide that fastens to the drill itself. Mark *carefully*
> and drill once. :-)
I had been wondering whether their falling into disfavor had to do
with labor cost, longevity (especially the cost of replacing missing
disks), or perhaps a perception that they are too tacky for today's
tastes. I was also wondering whether it might have to do with lack of
visibility at night.
> You can also contact Sign Business Magazine through
> <http://www.nbm.com/>. If you are in the Columbus Oh, area next june,
> attend the B.I.G. (Best In Graphics) Show. If you go to the BIG, stay
> at a hotel near the convention center if you can. The CC's concept of
> parking management is like a bilge pump. This is from personal
> experience, THIK (That's How I Know).
Thanks for the info. At this point, at any rate, my interest is more
an aesthetic (and perhaps nostalgic) one than entrepreneurial. I'm
just dying to try putting one or two of those signs together and see
what I come up with.
These leads should be helpful.