Who remembers Burma Shave signs?

[Clyde from the Texas]

I remember reading the signs on the highways... can't remember the words but these were sent to me
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For those of us
Who used to drive
A whole lot slower
And are still alive.
Burma shave
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For those who never saw any of the Burma Shave signs, here is a quick lesson in our history of the 1930's, '40's and '50's. Before there were interstates, when everyone drove the old 2 lane roads, Burma Shave signs would be posted all over the countryside in farmers' fields. They were small red signs with white letters. Five signs, about 100 feet apart, each containing 1 line of a 4 line couplet......and the obligatory 5th sign advertising Burma Shave, a popular shaving cream. Here are more of the actual signs:
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DON'T STICK YOUR ELBOW
OUT SO FAR
IT MAY GO HOME
IN ANOTHER CAR.
Burma Shave
TRAINS DON'T WANDER
ALL OVER THE MAP
'CAUSE NOBODY SITS
IN THE ENGINEER'S LAP
Burma Shave
SHE KISSED THE HAIRBRUSH
BY MISTAKE
SHE THOUGHT IT WAS
HER HUSBAND JAKE
Burma Shave
DON'T LOSE YOUR HEAD
TO GAIN A MINUTE
YOU NEED YOUR HEAD
YOUR BRAINS ARE IN IT
Burma Shave
DROVE TOO LONG
DRIVER SNOOZING
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT
IS NOT AMUSING
Burma Shave
BROTHER SPEEDER
LET'S REHEARSE
ALL TOGETHER
GOOD MORNING , NURSE
Burma Shave
CAUTIOUS RIDER
TO HER RECKLESS DEAR
LET'S HAVE LESS BULL
AND A LITTLE MORE STEER
Burma Shave
SPEED WAS HIGH
WEATHER WAS HOT
TIRES WERE THIN
X MARKS THE SPOT
Burma Shave
THE MIDNIGHT RIDE
OF PAUL FOR BEER
LED TO A WARMER
HEMISPHERE
Burma Shave
AROUND THE CURVE
LICKETY-SPLIT
BEAUTIFUL CAR
WASN'T IT?
Burma Shave
NO MATTER THE PRICE
NO MATTER HOW NEW
THE BEST SAFETY DEVICE
IN THE CAR IS YOU
Burma Shave
A GUY WHO DRIVES
A CAR WIDE OPEN
IS NOT THINKIN'
HE'S JUST HOPIN'
Burma Shave
AT INTERSECTIONS
LOOK EACH WAY
A HARP SOUNDS NICE
BUT IT'S HARD TO PLAY
Burma Shave
BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL
EYES ON THE ROAD
THAT'S THE SKILLFUL
DRIVER'S CODE
Burma Shave
THE ONE WHO DRIVES
WHEN HE'S BEEN DRINKING
DEPENDS ON YOU
TO DO HIS THINKING
Burma Shave
CAR IN DITCH
DRIVER IN TREE
THE MOON WAS FULL
AND SO WAS HE.
Burma Shave
PASSING SCHOOL ZONE
TAKE IT SLOW
LET OUR LITTLE
SHAVERS GROW
Burma Shave
Do these bring back any old memories?
If not, you're merely a child.
If they do - then you're old as dirt...
LIKE ME!
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[Bob - The Beagle Master]

I'm not old enough Clyde but I'm sure that Tom does. He may have even written some of them.

[Louis of PA]

These were not as common here in Pennsylvania, probably due to our curvy roads prior to real highways. We saw them more as we drove west in '47 and '49; the sight lines were far longer than here.

Thanks for your post.

[Dan In Indiana]

Oh yeah, a long time ago, but mom would always point out the signs when she saw them ahead and I would read each one. Didn't much care about the last one, I was still a good ways off from peach fuzz. But looking back, they all made sense, maybe even saved some lives and misery because drivers had to slow down to read them.

OFC

[tford (OFC)]

Well yes Clyde, I must admit I do remember the signs, and as children out for the mandatory "Sunday ride" we would look for them!

Some of the best were posted in the country where we would go for the ride, such as, Valley City, Ohio, and Sandusky, Ohio. My Father was always the protective type, and he made very sure we never saw the nasty ones I hear were posted in Columbus, Indiana!

In later years when I returned from the Navy he told me of some of the Columbus, Indiana signs he had heard of, such as:

"My brother's a poor missionary
he saves falling girls from sin
He will save you a Blondie for five dollars
My God how the money rolls in!"

Burma shave!

Sad to say the least, why Columbus, Indiana may indeed qualify for an Acorn office if they already don't have one.

[Brian Davis]

Yeah, I remember them.

I grew up out near where "middle" and "no place" intersect, we still had Burma Shave signs by the roads & a lot of old advertising signs painted on the sides of bars well into the 70's . . . .

[UUURah]

In a land long ago and far away, riding in my parent's 39 Chevy.....

[CharlieEcho]

I remember those signs well. We usually encountered them as others did, on the Sunday drives. Going from one ball game or the other. In Ill-noise there is a group, GUNS SAVE LIFE.com that promotes gun rights with the use of "Burma Shave" style signs. We see them more in Central and Northern Illinois. I've listed some examples with a link to many others. The last sign in the series is always the web address.

WHEN GUN CONTROL
HAS US BEAT
CRIMINALS WILL
OWN THE STREET

WHEN GUN CONTROL
HAS US BEAT
CRIMINALS WILL
OWN THE STREET

GUNS ARE NEITHER
GOOD NOR EVIL
HOW THEY'RE USED
DEPENDS ON PEOPLE

JANE SEES THUG
THUG SEES JANE
SEES JANE'S GUN
RUN THUG RUN

AS YOU CAN SEE
THUGS SPRAY LIES
HARD AS THEY TRY
FREEDOM WON'T DIE - a response to sign vandalism.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=2076632#post2076632

[Gloria Admin]

Oh yeah! On every family outing my sister and I watched for them along the road!

[Ken C.]

Yep, I remember them too; and Clydes post triggered an earlier memory of the Sherwin Williams paint co. billboards which showed a can of paint spilling on the globe (Sherwin Williams covers the Earth) and at about age 5 I thought was the poisoned apple with which Snow White had been laid low.

[dave]

Those example were all on driving and saftey. While they did some of those, more were just general humor and about using their product (as I remember).

[John Sukey]

Ditto,
Now who remembers shaving brushes and shaving soap?;)
How about those little bits ot toilet paper on the nicks?
I remewmber the barber shaving the hair on the back of the neck with a straight razor.
They don't do that anymore,

Glad I went to an electric razor.

One more bit. a British light infantry regiment has as their regimental march
"Razors in de air"

[JB White]

I've seen the pro gun signs CharlieEcho tells of. Don't see very many in Cook County though until you get a ways south of the cesspool....er, Chicago. First time I noticed a series was near Crete.
Reminded me of Burma Shave and the good olde days standing up in the back of Dad's car while cruising for a root beer down old Hwy 41. We weren't really cruising for a root beer, but he always stopped at A&W for one. (Shhh..just the guys and not when SWMBO was around ;) )

John, barber shops (REAL BARBER SHOPS) still give hot lather-straight razor shaves but there aren't very many left anymore. I let my wife cut my hair now since there isn't much left for her to mess up. Every now and then I treat myself and stop by the I-tie for a trim and a hot shave. Steamed towels and all!

[Dale in Louisiana]

Yes, I remember riding behind mom and dad in the back seat and reading them over his shoulder.

Does this make me old? Or was it the three-cent Cokes?

Dale in Louisiana

[tford (OFC)]

Shaving brushes and soap? Why yes, I still have both in the chest, and besides "Barbasol" they are the best thing going. My barber still uses a straight razor for shaving the ears and neck (not like Bob who uses a cat and a bowl of milk!) :icon_salut:

[Ken C.]

Ditto,
Now who remembers shaving brushes and shaving soap?;)
How about those little bits ot toilet paper on the nicks?
I remewmber the barber shaving the hair on the back of the neck with a straight razor.
They don't do that anymore,

Glad I went to an electric razor.

One more bit. a British light infantry regiment has as their regimental march
"Razors in de air"
John, I not only remember shaving brushes and soap, I have 2 of the brushes and cups. I started using them instead of the canned stuff some time back. I also have an old straight razor which I only used once. (its dull). Maybe one day I will set out to sharpen it and begin using it.
P.S. The last time I had a haircut (Cameron WI a couple weeks back)) the man used a straight razor on my neck and around the ears. :icon_salut:

[talucah]

I still use mug, brush, and double edge razor. Since the blades aren't as sharp as they were, I turn them over before each shave.
Bob

[John Sukey]

The only time I bought a shaving brush, the Army forced me to do it.
The razor, razor blades, shaving brush, bar of soap, towel, and other stuff that you NEVER got to use cause it was a display in the footlocker.
I imagine that was the ONLY reason the PX stocked some of those items.