Sweet electricity!

In 1882, the first electric sign was displayed at the International Electrical Exposition and the age of illuminated signs began. Innovation using neon and fluorescent tubes continued through the war years. However, many of those were replaced with plastic after World War II. (source FastSigns.com).

Imagine walking down Main Street USA after all the stores have closed. You stop to peek into a window, because the soft-glow has caught your eye. Hanging from the ceiling or as a part of a larger display, illuminated candy signs were a clever way to remind you to buy their product the next time you stopped by.

These signs were often double-sided, made of thin translucent plastic, and encased by a metal frame. But the lure of light didn't stop there. Candy companies also used neon, bulbs, fluorescent lights, flashing signs, or infinity mirrors. They certainly were put to good use but over time, they became discolored, cracked, or broken and shop owners had no choice but to discard them.

Over the years we have been fortunate enough to find a few signs still intact...and we can only envision what they looked like at night walking down Main Street USA.