McSavaney Co. Springfield Ohio 1927
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Gary_in_MN
Topic author - Posts: 94
- Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2019 9:18 am
- First Name: Gary
- Last Name: Anderson
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1927 Roadster/ Depaul OHV
- Location: St. Paul MN
McSavaney Co. Springfield Ohio 1927
Beautiful signs, I wonder if I have time to change my wish list for this year ? Gary in MN.
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amesbuilt
- Posts: 33
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- Location: Bruce County, ON
Re: McSavaney Co. Springfield Ohio 1927
Hi Gary, I too think these signs are a fascinating part of automotive history. Included is a copy of an article (Old Autos newspaper) about the company. By chance is there a street address for the company?
take care,
Bill
CONVEX ELECTRIC SIGN
“Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?”
As per the chorus of the 1971 song, ‘Signs’ performed by the Canadian rock group, Five Man Electrical Band signs were everywhere and meant to be seen . At the time this song was written signs of all types were seen all over the world. They were and still are, a major means of promoting a product, business or directions. Around a hundred years ago the automobile was moving into the lives of everyday people. Streets in the urban areas were seeing improvements and in the country highways were built and improved in order to join cities and towns together. In parallel to this, auto related businesses were established such as repair shops, gas stations, dealers, tire shops, and accessory vendors. As well, restaurants, hotels, motels and stores sprouted up. Each of these needed a means to let the people driving by know about their business. The most obvious solution for this was an advertising sign. A hundred years ago one company made an innovative style of sign that is not seen today.
Looking at old photographs a century ago, the majority of signs used were painted wood or metal or enameled metal panels either hung out the side of a building or mounted on a post. For night time, lights were set up to illuminate the signs. Another style of sign utilized glass tubes filled with neon gas. When a high AC voltage was applied to the tubes they would glow. One of the earliest examples of the neon sign was 110 years ago at the Paris Motor Show. The neon signs were hand made by companies with people skilled at bending, installing and wiring the glass tubing. Another style of sign would use a series of light bulbs to make the shape of letters, numbers and images. It should be noted that both of these sign types were expensive and susceptible to damage.
At this time a company came up with an idea for a unique style of sign. Henry S. McSavaney out of Springfield, Ohio established a company bearing his name. The McSavaney Company was the main manufacturer of what was called the “Convex Electric Sign”. The name was derived from the unique shape of the punched holes used in the sign to reflect the light from electric light bulbs set inside an enclosure.
Checking the patents made for this type of sign, one can see the evolution of their design. Starting in December 1908, a Charles A. McNeal out of Newark Ohio patented a simple design consisting of a tall enclosure with sheet metal sides. Holes were punched and offset in the sheet metal to reflect the light from an internal light bulb.
As written by the patent attorney:
“In each perforation is placed a circular or disc reflector d, which extends at an angle to the face of the sign and is adapted to reflect outward through such perforation to the eye of the observer the rays of light from an electric bulb or other source of light, placed at one side of such reflector and perforation and within the sign box.”
Next in 1913, William R. Huston from Gadsden, Alabama patented an improvement to the aforementioned sign with a unique shape to the punched discs used in the 1908 invention. The intent of this patent was to use a die to shape the disc in a convex shape and better reflect the internal light. As well a slight flare on the metal base gave more rigidity to the metal panel and facilitated the use of thinner metal.
More patent attorney wording: “An illuminated sign comprising a plate bearing the outline of a character and having a plurality of openings provided within the outline of the character, and a disk formed on the edge of each opening and extending inwardly at an angle to the plate, the edges of the the opening being curved inwardly to form convex surfaces, and the disks being dished to tho provide outer convex surfaces for reflecting light coming from the rear of the plate onto the said surfaces.”
Using these ideas, the McSavaney company manufactured custom order signs for all sorts of businesses. To start, the sheet metal face was cut in a unique shape. Depending on the sign this could be either single or double sided. From there, the designer of each sign could use their artistic skills. Starting with an overall shape he or she could paint the words, numbers and other features. Next, someone’s job was to punch the convex holes to highlight and accentuate the painted design, letters and numbers. In addition ,smaller diameter punched holes were added to add more detail. A close examination of the signs made by McSavaney, one can see that each of these signs were made by hand. Someone’s job all day long was punching out the metal. On the perimeter of each sign a spacer panel around four inches deep created an enclosure for the internal light(s) which were strategically placed to best illuminate the sign at night. This panel also included a number of small doors to access and change the light bulbs. Having the light bulbs inside the sign also helped to better protect them from any kind of damage.
For the next couple of decades ,the McSavaney Company continued manufacturing signs. In the 1930’s they dropped the unique convex signs and made conventional painted, back lit glass and neon signs. Around 1935 the company name was changed to McSavaney Products with emphasis on neon signs. From their sales literature at the time:
“In this age of highly competitive business, it is essential that every firm use; the most powerful means to attract the passerby. The NEON Sign has no competitor in attraction. It is seen for a long distance and always draws attention. McSavaney Products, feature all types of NEON SIGNS and DISPLAYS. See them for a distinctive sign. They are prepared to make up anything according to the individual ideas of their customer. They have a keen understanding of their business team, the commercial as well as the artistic standpoint, is bringing to the fore in the mind of the passerby what the proprietor wants to impress. “
McSavaney Products stayed in business until a few years after the war.
Today, the metal convex signs made by McSavaney Co. are rare. The majority of the businesses these signs were made for are long gone. For any surviving signs, if they were left out of doors, the elements would take their toll as relatively thin sheet metal was used in their construction. Both antique and auto nostalgic collectors are willing to pay dearly for these unique signs when ever they turn up and preserve a part of the history of advertising from a century ago.
take care,
Bill
CONVEX ELECTRIC SIGN
“Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?”
As per the chorus of the 1971 song, ‘Signs’ performed by the Canadian rock group, Five Man Electrical Band signs were everywhere and meant to be seen . At the time this song was written signs of all types were seen all over the world. They were and still are, a major means of promoting a product, business or directions. Around a hundred years ago the automobile was moving into the lives of everyday people. Streets in the urban areas were seeing improvements and in the country highways were built and improved in order to join cities and towns together. In parallel to this, auto related businesses were established such as repair shops, gas stations, dealers, tire shops, and accessory vendors. As well, restaurants, hotels, motels and stores sprouted up. Each of these needed a means to let the people driving by know about their business. The most obvious solution for this was an advertising sign. A hundred years ago one company made an innovative style of sign that is not seen today.
Looking at old photographs a century ago, the majority of signs used were painted wood or metal or enameled metal panels either hung out the side of a building or mounted on a post. For night time, lights were set up to illuminate the signs. Another style of sign utilized glass tubes filled with neon gas. When a high AC voltage was applied to the tubes they would glow. One of the earliest examples of the neon sign was 110 years ago at the Paris Motor Show. The neon signs were hand made by companies with people skilled at bending, installing and wiring the glass tubing. Another style of sign would use a series of light bulbs to make the shape of letters, numbers and images. It should be noted that both of these sign types were expensive and susceptible to damage.
At this time a company came up with an idea for a unique style of sign. Henry S. McSavaney out of Springfield, Ohio established a company bearing his name. The McSavaney Company was the main manufacturer of what was called the “Convex Electric Sign”. The name was derived from the unique shape of the punched holes used in the sign to reflect the light from electric light bulbs set inside an enclosure.
Checking the patents made for this type of sign, one can see the evolution of their design. Starting in December 1908, a Charles A. McNeal out of Newark Ohio patented a simple design consisting of a tall enclosure with sheet metal sides. Holes were punched and offset in the sheet metal to reflect the light from an internal light bulb.
As written by the patent attorney:
“In each perforation is placed a circular or disc reflector d, which extends at an angle to the face of the sign and is adapted to reflect outward through such perforation to the eye of the observer the rays of light from an electric bulb or other source of light, placed at one side of such reflector and perforation and within the sign box.”
Next in 1913, William R. Huston from Gadsden, Alabama patented an improvement to the aforementioned sign with a unique shape to the punched discs used in the 1908 invention. The intent of this patent was to use a die to shape the disc in a convex shape and better reflect the internal light. As well a slight flare on the metal base gave more rigidity to the metal panel and facilitated the use of thinner metal.
More patent attorney wording: “An illuminated sign comprising a plate bearing the outline of a character and having a plurality of openings provided within the outline of the character, and a disk formed on the edge of each opening and extending inwardly at an angle to the plate, the edges of the the opening being curved inwardly to form convex surfaces, and the disks being dished to tho provide outer convex surfaces for reflecting light coming from the rear of the plate onto the said surfaces.”
Using these ideas, the McSavaney company manufactured custom order signs for all sorts of businesses. To start, the sheet metal face was cut in a unique shape. Depending on the sign this could be either single or double sided. From there, the designer of each sign could use their artistic skills. Starting with an overall shape he or she could paint the words, numbers and other features. Next, someone’s job was to punch the convex holes to highlight and accentuate the painted design, letters and numbers. In addition ,smaller diameter punched holes were added to add more detail. A close examination of the signs made by McSavaney, one can see that each of these signs were made by hand. Someone’s job all day long was punching out the metal. On the perimeter of each sign a spacer panel around four inches deep created an enclosure for the internal light(s) which were strategically placed to best illuminate the sign at night. This panel also included a number of small doors to access and change the light bulbs. Having the light bulbs inside the sign also helped to better protect them from any kind of damage.
For the next couple of decades ,the McSavaney Company continued manufacturing signs. In the 1930’s they dropped the unique convex signs and made conventional painted, back lit glass and neon signs. Around 1935 the company name was changed to McSavaney Products with emphasis on neon signs. From their sales literature at the time:
“In this age of highly competitive business, it is essential that every firm use; the most powerful means to attract the passerby. The NEON Sign has no competitor in attraction. It is seen for a long distance and always draws attention. McSavaney Products, feature all types of NEON SIGNS and DISPLAYS. See them for a distinctive sign. They are prepared to make up anything according to the individual ideas of their customer. They have a keen understanding of their business team, the commercial as well as the artistic standpoint, is bringing to the fore in the mind of the passerby what the proprietor wants to impress. “
McSavaney Products stayed in business until a few years after the war.
Today, the metal convex signs made by McSavaney Co. are rare. The majority of the businesses these signs were made for are long gone. For any surviving signs, if they were left out of doors, the elements would take their toll as relatively thin sheet metal was used in their construction. Both antique and auto nostalgic collectors are willing to pay dearly for these unique signs when ever they turn up and preserve a part of the history of advertising from a century ago.
-
amesbuilt
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Sun Mar 31, 2019 9:26 am
- First Name: K
- Last Name: Mowle
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Ames Model 814 Speedster, Peerless barn find Speedster
- Location: Bruce County, ON
Re: McSavaney Co. Springfield Ohio 1927
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amesbuilt
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Sun Mar 31, 2019 9:26 am
- First Name: K
- Last Name: Mowle
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Ames Model 814 Speedster, Peerless barn find Speedster
- Location: Bruce County, ON
Re: McSavaney Co. Springfield Ohio 1927
Patent drawing.
All sorts of creative ideas.
Anyone have any original photos like this one?