Great American Billboards: 100 Years of History by the Side of the Road

by Fred E. Basten

Early in the 20th century, as Americans climbed into their Model-Ts and took to the open road, American manufacturers and retailers discovered miles and miles of new advertising space, and the audaciously oversized billboard was born. For a century, billboards have recruited, congratulated, teased, sold, and seduced us, promoting everything under the sun, from hosiery to war bonds, presidential candidates to rock shows. GREAT AMERICAN BILLBOARDS not only offers a lively look back at changing styles, products, and tastes, but is also an important visual record of this largely unheralded yet ubiquitous American art form.Reviews"This slice-of-life compendium entertains and educates."-US Airways Magazine"Although the pictures are fascinating, Basten'¬?s text is quite a bonus."-Oklahoman"An illuminating guide to a country, its culture, and its people."-American Way"Beyond the irresistible nostalgia is a fascinating glimpse of the evolution of our consumer nation."-Dallas Morning NewsFeatured on Entertainment Weekly'¬?s "Must List"

Genres: Art

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

FRED E. BASTEN is the author of over thirty-five books including, “Glorious Technicolor: The Movies’ Magic Rainbow,” “Max Factor’s Hollywood,” and “Steve McQueen: the Final Chapter” (with Grady Ragsdale). He currently lives in Santa Monica, CA

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before the internet...I see fewer and fewer billboards (BB) every year and the ones I do see are digitized. Soon the generations that remembers billboards will have to explain the concept to younger generations. This brought back memories of going to San Francisco in the 70's: BB everywhere!

[S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the ads made me sad or angry.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Interesting!

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pop culture at it's best, though it's kind of creepy to see Budweiser & Camel billboards from 1920. Strange how things stay the same.

Other interesting billboards:

Girl in sexified Navy uniform saying, "Gee!! I wish I were a MAN. I'd join the Navy." from 1917.

Thomas Edison quote "The United States Government is the greatest business in the world..Herbert Hoover is the man best qualified to run it!" on a 1928 billboard campaigning for Herbert Hoover.

"When you ride ALONE you ride with Hitler! Join a Car-Sharing Club TODAY!" from a 1943 billboard

[Nile Becklen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining look at some of the best and most representative billboards of the 20th century, with a healthy dose of American history added for good measure. I've read some complaints that the book draws most of its billboards from the same agency (Foster and Kleiser), the book nonetheless includes a variety of billboards for everything from Vegas shows and hot films to chewing gum and war bonds. The most enjoyable billboard book I've read.

[Erick Westphal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun 'table top'. Seeing history/culture via billboards.

[Patrick Brinich-Langlois · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good toilet reading.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of course there were some really neat-o billboards and even some fascinating trivia (where baseball pitchers warm up came to be know as the bullpen because of the Bull Durham tobacco ads they warmed up under). But I was a bit skeptical that such an overwhelming number of the billboards came from archival photos from one particular agency. Maybe it should have been called "Foster and Kleiser's Great American Billboards." Or "Before they were Clear Channel: Foster and Kleiser's Great American Billboards."