jena ardell
revamped las vegas sign
"In 1952, Betty Willis was approached by Ted Rogich, a local salesman, who suggested that she design a sign that would welcome visitors to the city. Las Vegas had a sign heralding everything, he argued, except itself. The sign had to reflect the relatively new, flashy neon age and serve as an impressive gateway for the town.
Willis agreed with Rogich, and embarked on developing a sign that was unique in its shape, style and content. Although the sign, at 25 feet tall, is short compared to other signs on the Strip, it does have some distinctive features. The diamond shape immediately differentiates it from the others. In a nod to Nevada's nickname as "the Silver State," seven silver dollars back the seven letters of the word "Welcome."
In 1959, when the sign was completed, Willis and Rogich sold it for $4,000 to Clark County officials, who placed the sign on an island on the southern tip of the Strip, where it remains to this day.
In hopes that the design would be used freely, Willis never copyrighted her sign's design. Today, clothing, food, and various souvenirs are just some of the many items that bear the likeness of Willis' design.
The "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign has become so iconic of Las Vegas that the sign was chosen as the official logo for Las Vegas' centennial celebration.
Willis continued to design signs until retiring at the age of 77, but her most famous design remains "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas." The sign has now become a destination in its own right and is seen as an iconic symbol of Las Vegas to tourists and Las Vegans alike."
source: www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/lasvegas/peopleevents/p_willis.html
revamped las vegas sign
"In 1952, Betty Willis was approached by Ted Rogich, a local salesman, who suggested that she design a sign that would welcome visitors to the city. Las Vegas had a sign heralding everything, he argued, except itself. The sign had to reflect the relatively new, flashy neon age and serve as an impressive gateway for the town.
Willis agreed with Rogich, and embarked on developing a sign that was unique in its shape, style and content. Although the sign, at 25 feet tall, is short compared to other signs on the Strip, it does have some distinctive features. The diamond shape immediately differentiates it from the others. In a nod to Nevada's nickname as "the Silver State," seven silver dollars back the seven letters of the word "Welcome."
In 1959, when the sign was completed, Willis and Rogich sold it for $4,000 to Clark County officials, who placed the sign on an island on the southern tip of the Strip, where it remains to this day.
In hopes that the design would be used freely, Willis never copyrighted her sign's design. Today, clothing, food, and various souvenirs are just some of the many items that bear the likeness of Willis' design.
The "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign has become so iconic of Las Vegas that the sign was chosen as the official logo for Las Vegas' centennial celebration.
Willis continued to design signs until retiring at the age of 77, but her most famous design remains "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas." The sign has now become a destination in its own right and is seen as an iconic symbol of Las Vegas to tourists and Las Vegans alike."
source: www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/lasvegas/peopleevents/p_willis.html