Sandwich board facts for kids
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A sandwich board is a special kind of sign used for advertisement. It's made of two boards. These boards can either be carried by a person, with one board in front and one behind, like a "sandwich". Or, they can be set up on the ground next to a store. The main idea is that the advertising message can be seen from both sides.
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A Look Back: History of Sandwich Boards
Long ago, businesses needed new ways to advertise. There was a lot of competition for space to put posters. Also, sometimes there were taxes on advertisements. This led people to invent signs that could move around easily.
The term "sandwich man" was first used by a famous writer named Charles Dickens. He described these advertisers as people carrying signs, like a filling between two pieces of bread. Sandwich boards were very popular in the 1800s.
Over time, billboards became more common. These large signs were better for people traveling in automobiles. But even today, you can still see sandwich boards in busy shopping areas. Places like Oxford Street in London, Champs Élysées in Paris, and 42nd Street in New York City often use them. They help advertise special offers from nearby shops.
Different Kinds of Sandwich Boards
There are two main types of sandwich boards you might see.
Signs Carried by People
The first type is carried by a person. These signs usually have straps, like suspenders. This helps the person carry the weight on their shoulders and keeps the boards balanced. The person wearing the signs might also give out flyers or shout out advertising slogans.
In the past, these "sandwich men" sometimes wore special costumes. At first, they were dressed nicely. But later, some pictures showed them in worn-out clothes. In many cities, there are rules about where and how these types of moving advertisements can be used.
A-Frame Signs for Stores
The second type is called an "A-board." These signs are placed on the ground, often near stores. You might see them on sidewalks or in pedestrian areas. They are designed to catch the eye of customers walking by. A-boards get their name because they often look like the letter "A" when open.
Some modern A-boards have a single sign hanging inside a frame, instead of two solid boards. These signs are very popular for businesses in busy walking areas. They help advertise a store's website or social media. This can help the business become known both locally and online. Bars and restaurants often use A-boards. For some small businesses, these signs are their main way of advertising.
What Are Sandwich Boards Made Of?
Sandwich boards are made from many different materials. The signs that people carry are usually made from light materials. These include cardboard or paperboard, often with yarn to hang them over the shoulders.
Traditional A-boards were often made from stiff, flat materials. Examples include fibre board, chip board, wood, plywood, or MDF. Today, many A-boards are made from plastic, steel, or aluminum. Some even have hinges made of leather. Cheaper A-boards might have a wooden frame with cloth nailed on, then printed or painted by hand. Chalkboards are also popular for A-boards. Messages can be written on them by hand.
Each material has its good and bad points. Wooden frames can be damaged by tiny insects like termites. Some plastic materials, like PVC, can become brittle in different weather. Other plastics, like polyethylene, can warp or bend in changing temperatures. This can make the message on the sign look distorted. Printing on plastic also needs special, often expensive, ink.
Chalkboard A-boards are great because messages can be changed easily. However, they must be written by hand and the writing can wash away in the rain. Aluminum or steel frames are usually strong. But they can be affected by strong winds and bad weather, especially rain, and can wear out over time. On windy days, people sometimes hang sandbags under the board. This helps to keep the sign balanced and stable. Colors on signs can also fade if they are in the sun for too long.
It's important to know that when many different materials are used in one sign, it can be hard to recycle it.
See Also
- Human billboard
- The Sandwich Man (1966 film)
