There is no real evidence that billboards are effective in generating profit, but they do aid in brand recognition. Signs offering a "petting zoo" and clean bathrooms probably worked during the glory days of road travel, but today it is mostly the big yellow hamburger sign drawing in customers. The concept of sex in advertising also comes to play here. That we KNOW is effective. There is no way to measure how many riders have been killed by the wandering eyes of the driver in these snaps. The photographer stood close enough to the signs to eliminate any skid marks on the ground.
Lady Bird Johnson tried to eliminate billboards during the Johnson administration. To preserve beauty, not the money in your pocket. Some countries have outlawed them for safety, but texting while driving is far more dangerous now.
I would have looked at these while passing, but I don't think I would have gotten off to buy tires.
Vintage (1940?) Pin-up Billboard Snapshot photographs. Thanks to CURLEY'S ANTIQUES.
