Signs are a sign of the times in which we live. Judging by the signs seen along Bus 75, we live in an age of chaos, clamor, hype, ethnic diversity, graphic inconsistency, and design that ranges from yawn-inspiring to fascinating. They are everywhere. No wonder our heads are spinning.
Signs have evolved over time, but not much. They first came into use around 18,000 BC. Those first human-made images communicated simple things. Like where to eat and not get eaten. They were ritualistic and spiritual, with nature symbolism as their language. Today’s signs are modern-day pictographs.
In the day when all roads led to Rome, there were signs marking the way and distance. Perhaps the roads also had billboards promoting the next big event at the Colosseum (Gladiators vs Lions July IV Just 20 leagues ahead!). Were there signs for tattoo parlors and psychic readers along the way?
Judging by the signs seen along Bus 75, we live in an age of chaos, clamor, hype, ethnic diversity, graphic inconsistency, and design…
In 1389, England’s King Richard II ordered all alehouses to display signs. His edict stated, “Whosoever shall brew ale with intention of selling it must hang out a sign, otherwise he shall forfeit his ale.” This allowed the Crown’s official “ale tasters” to locate taverns and test their brew (important since drinking water was often bad and people drank ale instead).
That explains a lot. It may have led to the founding of a new country. Keep calm and carry on aboard the Mayflower.
BUS 75: HIDDEN PORTLAND 
I really enjoyed this post. The idea of telling the climate of a city via signs and their historical significance in general, signs, is a really compelling one. I love your unique niche subject. As a public transit rider in St Louis, your posts make me view my commute differently (more full of mystery) but also it’s interesting seeing how other cities transit can tell their own story. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
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Thanks for sharing!! I really love how you really take in your surroundings, and stop to notice the things that a lot of us would rush by. You really portray and interesting and new perspective.
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Signs aren’t always ads. Some of these might be omens.
Heading off in another direction: have bus signs changed over the years?
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