Billboards actually came of age in America in the early 20th century as people with something to say printed up posters (advertising bills) of various sizes, coated the back with glue and plastered them on barns, walls and fences – hence the term “billboards.” If a circus was coming to town, for example, a week or two ahead, it was common for hundreds of circus posters to literally cover the countryside. With the popularity of the automobile, billboards really took off as advertisers sought to capture the attention of drivers as they headed down the highways of America. As a result Burma Shave became famous overnight for its clever advertising on fence posts. The message was in several parts and when a person drove down a country road every few feet was another part of the Burma Shave advertisement. Today, with freeways, that is totally in the past.

Types of Billboards

The largest billboards are the huge “paint” bulletins, found mostly on freeways and major highways, usually measuring 20 x 60 feet. And the most common smaller “poster” boards are 14 x 48 feet. Incidentally, these sizes have remained constant for decades. Bus shelters have become more popular in the past 20 years or so. Cities have allowed them in residential areas because they provide not only a bench (as is also the case with bus bench ads), but also an overhead covering as well, which is welcomed when the weather turns bad. If you’re in New York or Las Vegas you’ll see taxis everywhere and yes, they are a form of billboard advertising as well. Another form of “rolling billboards” are city busses. Not only do you see posters on the sides and backs of busses but sometimes the entire bus is covered with advertising. So, you’ve got lots of choices. The question is can they help advertise your business?