History Of Billboard Advertising
Believe it or not, those giant signs you see towering over highways and lining city streets have been around for a surprisingly long time. Way back in the 1830s, a fellow named Jared Bell cooked up the idea of using big posters to advertise things like circus acts. These early billboards were pretty basic, just colorful pictures and text announcing exciting shows coming to town.
Fast forward a few decades, and billboards were becoming increasingly popular. This led to the creation of associations dedicated to the billboard business, which helped spread the concept of billboard advertising across the country. These associations also played a role in standardizing billboard sizes. In 1889, a giant billboard with 24 separate panels made its debut at the Paris Expo. This 24-sheet format became the go-to size for billboards pretty much everywhere.
The 20th century saw billboards really take off. With the rise of cars and increased traffic on roads, billboards became a prime way to reach a wide audience. Think about it - people stuck in traffic can't exactly escape those giant signs! Billboards also became more visually interesting and creative, grabbing people's attention with catchy slogans and bold designs.
Even though digital advertising is all the rage these days, billboards are still a major player in the advertising game. They offer a unique advantage - they're hard to miss. In a world overflowing with digital distractions on our phones and computers, sometimes a giant, eye-catching billboard can cut through the noise and leave a lasting impression. So, the next time you're stuck in traffic and find yourself zoning out on a billboard, take a moment to appreciate this old-school advertising method that's still relevant today.
Billboards have come a long way since their humble beginnings, and they continue to evolve. Who knows what the future holds for these giants of the advertising world? Maybe they'll become interactive, or maybe they'll use even more dazzling technology to grab our attention. One thing's for sure - billboards aren't going anywhere anytime soon.
Check out this website for a fascinating history of how billboards went from basic circus posters to the eye-catching giants we see today here.
