The history of signboards is interpreted differently, but they all agree on one thing - in cities with stalls, merchants necessarily used different signs, images or even goods.
Як тільки виробник одного або декількох благ (наприклад, ковалі або селяни, які виростили надлишок тієї чи іншої культури) хоче запропонувати товар, у нього виникає іAs soon as a producer of one or more goods (for example, blacksmiths or peasants who have grown a surplus of one or another crop) wants to offer a good, he has another concern – how to communicate what is available. It is often impractical to stand on the market. It is much easier to inform a potential client schematically or in writing.
The history of a sign can be traced back to ancient Egypt, when fortune tellers offered their services in a similar way (for example, Rhinos from the island of Crete, who interpreted dreams). Often the tablets were found by archaeologists on trade routes. This origin of advertising signs is considered the oldest confirmed. Similarly, in ancient Rome, you could often find signboards — it was actually written outdoor advertising.
It was effective due to the fact that the majority of people could read. In the Middle Ages, the history of the creation of signs took a different path - they began to directly depict goods and services due to the widespread illiteracy of the population. Currently, such designs must have inscriptions, and images can be an addition - especially for those who have created their brand or promote it.
When and where did the first advertising sign appear?
Signs have been used as outdoor advertising for thousands of years. The history of signs begins with the fact that real products were placed above the entrance to the shop as an example. Inside, such a product could be purchased for real money. In antiquity, bas-reliefs created by firing clay or carving texts and images on marble could be considered signs.
Later, signs, images, which had demonstrated what could be purchased, began to be used. When were advertising signs of this type invented? Such products belong to the V-XIII centuries, when the population of many countries simply did not receive proper education, because of which it was necessary to show what was specifically sold in one or another shop. Each type of activity was affected in its own way:
- three balls - usurers;
- barrel - winemakers;
- key - locksmiths.
In the Middle Ages, the mass production of advertising signs began to be made of metal, due to which the structures became lighter and thinner. In modern times, signs became more complex — they began to use forged elements, elements of heraldry (mainly images of animals that appear on coats of arms). The origin of signs for advertising of modern design goes back to the modern times, when the shapes and arrangement of products that are now familiar began to be designed.
Illuminated signs began to appear in Europe by the second half of the 19th century. In connection with the appearance of light bulbs and the electrification of cities, signs became brighter, and at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, signs began to use neon - in Germany, similar designs appeared in 1896. The history of advertising signs in Ukraine was connected with Europe and the development of the largest cities. As in other countries, in the territories occupied by the two empires, tablets from the following materials were used:
- wood (usually letters were made of it);
- metal (cast and forged structures);
- stucco.
In connection with the communist occupation of Ukraine, the development of advertising signs actually stopped. The most primitive designs were used - the same "volumetric letters" from the 19th century, and light boxes began to be actively used only in the largest cities during the time of the Stagnation.
The role of advertising signs and outdoor advertising today
In the world, advertising signs are a mandatory element of any store and other institution. Without them, potential customers simply will not be able to find the object. This is especially important if the retail space is in the same building as other shops, hairdressers, and service centers. Custom neon signs can be produced by Kaplun Global specialists to attract attention and create a positive image of the company.
