Lighted marquee signs demand attention while giving your business a vintage feel. Marquee signs are typically surrounded by a border of flashing lightbulbs, and they can feature individual marquee letters. They’ve been around since the 1930s, and while their major uses include theater, hotel, and casino signs, marquee signs have taken on their own character as a symbol of times past. Here’s what you need to know about marquee signs in the past as well as today.
A Brief History of Marquee Signs
Marquee signs rose to prominence in the 1930s when they were used outside theaters. The rise of the automobile directly impacted the design of marquee letters. No longer was the only traffic via foot, and as a result, signage needed to be seen from a moving car on a road. Thus, theater signs needed to be bright and flashing in order to attract vehicle traffic in a shorter timeframe. Marquee signs are a significant part of theater architecture and history, and they also became popular at hotels and casinos. In Las Vegas, there is an attraction called the Neon Boneyard, which is full of old neon signs and marquee letters.
Common Uses for Marquee Letters
Today, marquee letters are used by a variety of businesses, not just theaters and casinos—but any business that wants to project a vintage look and feel while attracting lots of attention with the marquee signs and individual marquee letters. Marquee letters are also popular for home decor and even wedding decor. Many people create the individual letters as DIY projects. Of course, these DIY marquee letters are typically used indoors or where they don’t need to be seen from a distance. Businesses require better and brighter lighting technology.
Marquee-Style Signs with LED Technology
Today, LED technology allows sign manufacturers to create marquee-style signs that are clearer and brighter than ever before. If theaters of the 1930s had been able to use LED bulbs, they surely would’ve, and modern cars zoom by much faster, so a brighter sign is necessary to get noticed. By working with a sign designer, you can create the perfect marquee-style sign for vintage appeal.
