Image via WikipediaBurma Shave was an old-fashioned men's shaving cream product that resorted to an old school style of advertising--the roadside sign. The product sign itself would be preceded by a series of small signs that would present a catchy poem or saying that sometimes was about the product, but also about topics like highway safety.
Here is an example of a series of Burma Shave signs:
| Ben |
| Met Anna |
| Made a hit |
| Neglected beard |
| Ben-Anna split |
 |
Serial advertising signs are still in use although usually coming in billboard form along the interstates where signage is permitted. Some examples are the signs between Houston and San Antonio advertising travel stop Buc-ee's, the billboards along I-90 for South Dakota attraction Wall Drug, and the roadside campaign hype teasing The Thing? in Arizona.
Long stretches of highway are sprinkled with the signs that begin to create an anticipation to see what's going to come next. Eventually there is the payoff of the attraction, but were the signs enough to draw the traveler off the highway? Did the signs keep the viewers entertained as they went on their journeys?
When I go to the Twitter site I can't help be reminded of those serial signs. Small doses in a few words try to grab hold of the surfer of the Twitterscape, but is the tweet powerful enough to make me look--cause me to be curious or remember what I've seen?
Traveling the web is like taking a journey without a vehicle, without leaving your home. Taking in the blogs and websites is more like sitting back with a magazine or visiting the library. Twitter is like a road trip where the road goes on forever and it's filled with Burma Shave signs. But if the content doesn't grab me I may stop paying attention. If I stop paying attention, I might miss that exit for Buc-ees. If the lure of the words isn't strong enough, I might decide that The Thing? is just a rip-off and not worth my time.
The Burma Shave signs came in small doses and were memorable and clever. They didn't get old because they left us wanting more. We looked for them. Twitter may be overkill.
The Burma Shave bards might have put it this way:
Tired eyes from Too many tweets Might cause this guy To fall asleep Burma Shave |
That's a great post on Americana, past and present! Well done.
ReplyDeleteWe do get to visit our planet more through the internet. Although I'm glad for this, I do realize that being somewhere in person is a better experience. Until then, I'll sit behind the screen and visit.
ReplyDeleteTeresa
Great metaphor!! I usually caught those signs about 2 in and they never made sense... again, much like Twitter!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Lee have got reactivated on twitter hopefully it will be fine this time round.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Road trips were given some entertainment with the Burma Shave signs. No electronics, just basic words. Then we'd go back to using our imaginations about the scenery.
ReplyDeleteLol! this is awesome ;)
ReplyDeleteHi there, just stopped by to tell you I nominated you for a Versatile Blogger Award over on my blog. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteVigorously nodding my head in agreement!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great analogy. I have a hard time with Twitter at times. Actually, a lot of the time. I don't know if it's because I'm older or what, but I prefer blogging and FaceBook. Still, Twitter has its place and can be pretty darn helpful at times. I'll click on your follow me on Twitter button. I still haven't figure out how to put it on my blog!
ReplyDeleteCute post! New follower here. I'm trying to get a head start on visiting my fellow "A to Z"ers ;-)
ReplyDeleteSylvia
http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/
I get lost in the twitter information. Nothing sticks in my head. LOL!
ReplyDeleteStopping over from the A to Z Challenge. I can't wait to start!!
P.S. Of course I'm your newest follower
Giggle, Laugh, Cry
Great analogy. I'm going to be looking at Twitter with new eyes!
ReplyDelete