All posts by jackandfriends

The History of Neon Signs

August 7, 2022Blogrollneon sign, neon signs, open signjackandfriends

Neon is one of the elements that sits along the far right side of the periodic table of elements with the noble gases, making it one of the most common elements found in the universe. With two-thirds the density of regular air, neon is considered to be pretty rare here on Earth, and even so, two scientists in the late 1800s managed to capture it through a meticulous process. From there, with the use of tubes, neon signs as we know them today were born.

The attempt to isolate the elusive gas was done over the course of two months, when the two scientists liquefied the air and then captured the gases that came off of it when it was boiled. This gas was put into a tube and they added an electric charge to it. By doing this, the tube glowed with a bright reddish orange color when subjected to those charges. The two scientists were awed by what they saw and soon began developing tubes that would allow them to continue to capture the gas and electrify it to produce the glow again and again.

In 1907, these tube lights began being mass produced by a French businessman and were first shown at the 1910 Paris Motor Show. An opportunity was seen to develop a signage business out of these neon lights, and in 1912, the sizes of the tubes were reduced in order to allow them to turn the tubes into letters and words. The first neon sign in North America was displayed in 1923 in Los Angeles, and one of those signs is still there, never having been removed.

Neon Bar Sign - Historic Route 66 — Neon Bar Sign – Historic Route 66

Business boomed from there, and then came a need for a more diversified neon light in order to add competition on the market. Since technically, neon will only produce that reddish orange color, different gases had to be used, most notably the gas argon that produces a pretty lavender color. When these different gases are used with fluorescent coatings, the changes in color are possible. The development of this process took place in 1920, prompting the boom of different colors of neon lights.

From there, people began experimenting, using different colors of neon lights and even incorporating mechanical parts like large coffee cups that let off steam or an ad for laundry detergent that released actual bubbles. Neon signs of all kinds began being use for large and small businesses alike, making them a standard in places like restaurants, barber shops, retail stores and bars.

Neon Open Sign - Open Deco Green & Red - Art Deco Style — Neon Open Sign – Open Deco Green & Red – Art Deco Style

Remarkably, over the decade since neon signs were created, the method of creating them really hasn’t changed. The desire to use neon lights has scarcely changed either, as even those who opt to change out their old neon signs for LEDs typically come back to neon in the end. Neon signs not only decorate businesses, but nowadays they can also be found in homes, making them a true treasure when it comes to decorating.

Vintage Military Wall Decor Makes a Statement

July 18, 2022Store NewsMilitary Signsjackandfriends

Whether your family went to the halls of Montezuma or you sang anchors aweigh, vintage military wall décor can help anyone honor the traditions of their family. Millions of veterans have served their country honorably, sacrificing many of their own comforts so that we each could experience freedom in our own unique way. If you’re looking for a great gift to honor a veteran, want a unique piece of Americana to honor your family military traditions, or simply want a beautiful military sign to adorn your garage, workshop, or den, we’ve got a great idea for you!

You Can Select Your Preferred Era with Vintage Military Wall Decor

The U.S. military has served for longer than this country has even been a country! That means you’ve got nearly 250 years worth of history from which to select your perfect vintage military sign. From a celebratory sign of the Navy Seals that captured Osama Bin Laden to the cheesecake photos that feature beautiful women draped in the American flag, you can celebrate the military while creating the perfect atmosphere for your home or business.

What other kind of images are featured in this collection of military signs?

US Army signs that celebrate strength;
US Navy signs that celebrate courage;
US Air Force signs that celebrate bravery; and
US Marine signs that celebrate all of the above!

You’ll also find signs that commemorate the courage of people during the events of September 11^th, Pearl Harbor Day, and other defining moments within the history of the United States. Tens of thousands of men and women have given their lives so that we can enjoy our freedoms. If you or your family has been part of that, then “Thank you!” These signs are meant to honor you.

It’s the Perfect Way To Bring the Past & Present Together

There aren’t many ways that the generations are able to come together these days. Every generation is defined in some way, from the greatest generation that served in World War II and Korea to those that are still serving in Afghanistan and around the world today in other conflicts. The tie that binds veterans together, no matter what war they were called upon to serve in, is that they responded to that call with a profound courage. That’s what this military wall décor honors.

We must not forget, however, that when men and women serve our nation in the military, it just isn’t that veteran that made sacrifices. Their families often sacrificed many comforts as well, and in earlier conflicts, entire communities made an effort to pull together, have meatless days, and work together to conserve resources. Our vintage metal military signs can help be a visual reminder of that feeling you get when something incredible as been achieved through hard work, commitment, and sacrifice.

There Are a Number of Unique Signs As Well

Pin-up girls riding a bomb might bring back special memories of the days gone by, but our custom military signs are also specially cut into specific designs that can honor individual sacrifices as well. Imagine having a beautiful military sign that is shaped like:

a Purple Heart sign to honor someone’s personal sacrifice and hardship as they were injured in the line of duty;
a Legion of Merit sign to honor the exceptionally meritorious actions of family members serving in the American military or awards given by the United States to outstanding service members of other militaries;
a Bronze Star to remember that moment of courage and sacrifice that help to save people or advance a mission; or
a favorite weapon in a sign that is custom cut to replicate the shape of the weapon.

Whether you want an Air Force sign that shows that you or your family served in the Air Force way or a Navy sign that shows you were willing to protect US interests out on the water, there is a military sign that will honor you and yours in the perfect way.

You Can Relax In Your Own Unique Way

Unless people are in their comfort zone, it is nearly impossible for them to truly relax. If you’ve served your country or are a military aficionado, this military wall décor can help you create that perfect happy place that will allow you to relax. Whether you choose one of the many military signs that are available or you decide to mix and match signs from our entire inventory of incredible designs, you’ll be able to fulfill the room design that your imagination is picturing.

What makes these military signs unique is their ability to be durable. Pictures can fall off the wall, frames can break, and images can yellow and fade over a short period of time. Our metal signs are durable, dependable, and you won’t have to worry about them getting damaged like a picture can through normal wear and tear.

Military Signs Are the Perfect Way to Decorate a Business!

One of the reasons why people come back to an establishment is because they loved the atmosphere that was provided there. Whether you’ve got a restaurant, sell mailing supplies, or you provide some sort of service to your community, military wall décor can help you immediately relate to your customer base. Customers are looking to build a relationship with you and these military signs can help you connect with them from the very first impression.

Beyond establishing a relationship, your customers are looking for a sense of value that you can provide better than anyone else within your community. The appearance of your office, retail area, or dining area will communicate what kind of value you provide. If there isn’t a level of care that is given to the physical appearance of an establishment, it communicates to people that you don’t really care about the value you provide.

Rather than ignore these perceptions, you can do something about them today! Custom military signs are eye catching, provide extraordinary value, and will create the perfect atmosphere that you’re attempting to provide each customer.

Vintage Military Decor Is Highly Affordable

Whether you’re looking for a vintage US Army sign that honors the battles of World War II to a US Marines sign that is a replication of the effective recruitment posters throughout the years, each sign that is offered here is highly affordable, yet made with the highest of quality. Though not appropriate for most outdoor environments, these metal military signs are drilled and riveted so that you can hang them up immediately upon receiving them.

The image is baked on using the classic sublimation process. Your preferred, customized image is placed into a powdered coating on the sign. It is then baked at a high temperature, sealing in the image perfectly. If you want a crisp sign that looks brand new, the process stops there. If, however, you want a vintage look that replicates the rusted corners for your military décor, we add these finishing touches by hand so that you get a beautiful, world class vintage military sign at an affordable price.

Which Military Signs Are Right For You?

If you’re looking for military wall décor, these metal signs are one of the best options that you’re going to find on the internet today. You can choose to honor one branch of the military, all of the military branches, or even commemorate specific awards or moments in history with this collection of military signs. Highly affordable, incredibly durable, and visually spectacular, you’ll find that these signs will make the perfect addition to any wall in your home or business.

Why not see what what one of these signs could do for the atmosphere that you’re trying to create? With these military signs, you can let your imagination run wild without it breaking your bank account! Order a sign today to honor those who have served to protect the freedoms we enjoy today, and if you have served yourself… thank you for everything that you have done. This military wall décor is simply a small way to honor your courage and sacrifice.

The History of Pin-Up Girls

June 8, 2022Blogrollnavy, pinup girl, pinup metal signjackandfriends

To many, the pin-up girl isn’t something that needs to be introduced. Popularized mostly during World War II, these “girls” are as much a part of American culture as baseball and apple pie, as the saying goes. But, pin-up girls weren’t always depicted as the scantily-clad women in precarious positions that provided owners of the artwork a peek at her underwear. In fact, the very history of the modern evolution of the pin-up girl dates as far back to before World War I, all the way back to the invention of the first bicycle, surprisingly enough.

Vintage Gas Pump Girl Custom Shape - Pin-Up Girl Metal Sign 13 x 26 Inches — Vintage Gas Pump Girl Custom Shape – Pin-Up Girl Metal Sign 13 x 26 Inches

During the time when bicycles were becoming popular, a special Lady’s Safety Bicycle was invented that was intended to be ridden specifically by women. People believed that standard bicycles had the potential to harm women’s insides if they rode them, so special ones were created. This led to advertisements of women with bicycles featuring the then-scandalous idea of women wearing pants instead of dresses and skirts in order to safely ride the bike. Once bicycles became popular for all, there was a small shift in women’s fashion that ended up revealing their legs and more of their bodies overall in a way that had never been done before.

From there, women’s bodies were used more and more in advertising as they tended to attract more attention to different advertisements. The first real instance of this was the Gibson Girl, created by an illustrator for Life magazine whose wife’s likeness was depicted with a large bust, long hair, an hourglass shape and full lips. The successful campaign created a wave of others attempting to capture the sensuality of the Gibson Girl.

Vintage Made in the USA - Pin-Up Girl Metal Sign 12 x 18 Inches — Vintage Made in the USA – Pin-Up Girl Metal Sign 12 x 18 Inches

Attractive women were then used for a number of different advertisements, particularly during the First World War. A beautiful woman encouraging young men to join the army was thought to be able to stir men into action, and it seemed to work. As time bled into the Roaring Twenties, the flapper generation that wore shorter skirts and bobbed hair had their likeness depicted as well. Then, in the 1940s when the World War II began, the first real pin-up girl as we know her today appeared in wartime propaganda pieces that encouraged people to join up and fight the war, purchase war bonds and more.

Upon realizing the way that sex certainly sells when it comes to war, those pin-up girls became the face of advertisements and were used to further marketing campaigns, the first to popularize these tactics in the 1940s and 1950s being Madison Avenue. In 1952, Playboy was created, and in the early years of the magazine, there were nude pin-ups depicted. Eventually, that evolved into photographs, which spawned Betty Page’s participation in the style, and today, Betty is still considered the most collected pin-up girl of all time.

In modern times, the tradition of pin-ups is still alive and well with people collecting classic pin-up art work and creating their own as well. Truly a timeless American art, pin-up photography is still a vibrant field especially in the rockabilly subculture and will only continue to evolve over the years and never fail to entice and intrigue audiences.