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When did sign companies begin using aluminum for signs? I have a couple old signs that look REALLY old, but they are aluminum. I hung them on my reproduction wall because of that. Now, I've had several collectors tell me that some companies used aluminum clear back in the 1930s???? I had never heard this. I looked up some info and found that aluminum was around far earlier than that, but I can't find anything indicating when they started using it for signage. Any ideas?

I have a 40's Exide batteries sign that's aluminum that information says do to WW2 and the need for steel they had to use aluminum.

I also have several 40s era signs, fertilizer ones, that are aluminum.

Most Sign Company's started using alum after WWII. Because of the War effort many Alum Company's were built; Therefor the cost of producing Alum was dropped down to pennies on the pound...

Some Sign Company's did use alum for signage in the 30s... But, the cost of producing alum was very high, as it took/takes a "ton" of electricity to produce alum... So most signs were neon and/or large "high dollar" signage...

Here in the State of WA, where Hydro Power because of Grand Coulee Dam, Bonneville Dam and the BPA, was/is plentiful and electricity was/is cheap; Was the home of some of the largest Alum Plants in the World...

One of those was here in Longview...

Now most alum comes from Overseas where there are no real regulations on Industrial Waste and where Coal is cheap and pollution is not regulated as closely as here in the States and Canada...

Some Traffic Sign companies started using cast aluminum back in the 1920s.

Here are some ads from 1930 out of a traffic guide index for the Alumoyd company which used cast aluminum.

I have a few aluminum signs for the early 20's

...I can't imagine that aluminum was readily available as a wartime substitute, for the very reasons Bob stated...seems like I heard/read somewhere that one of the reasons Japan went to war with the US, was that we refused to sell them aluminum...

...early examples aside, MOST aluminum signs are going to date to the post-war era...

...listen to the radio program in this link:

http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5158&title=%22Aluminum+for+Defense%22%3A+Rationing+at+Home+during+World+War+II

...there's this, too, about the 'Spruce Goose'...note that aluminum was considered a 'strategic material':

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hughes_H-4_Hercules

During WWII, Boeing took every ounce of material that Reynolds Metal produced here in Longview (one of their largest facilities in the U.S.)... At their peak, Boeing in Seattle, was building and completing 16 B-17 Bombers each and everyday. And these aircraft were over 90% alum....


A little history, with images:

http://www.taphilo.com/history/WWII/USAAF/Boeing/B17/index.shtml

Need for Alum. was just as great as steel during WW2, Aviation.

So are there any ways to tell an old aluminum from a new one? I have one sign that I'm convinced is repop because the back is bright shiny aluminum. Were there any distinguishing marks or characteristics on old aluminum signs that I should look for? Thanks for all the info fellas.

Post a picture

Alum. recycling was so great in WW2 that chewing gum wrappers were being recycled.
Alum. will oxidize whether it's inside or outside the house, faster outside due to moisture in the air, if left UN-treated.
Takes less energy to process Alum. than steel from raw materials or from scrap into new items.

Here's the sign in question:



Markings look legit:


The back throws me off:

Looks right to me. Most likely was used inside given the nice condition. I wouldn't expect to find a repop in that 50's style.

Given the overall shape and 3-d nature of the sign I'd say it was an up-scale order.

M-H Co searches on Google turn up other Ice Cream and soda-shop related signage.