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| Scott Nazelrod |
| Main » Roadgeek » A Look Back at Button Type |
Back when the first freeways were being constructed, a major problem was how to ensure that signs and road markers would be visible at night. The current reflective sheeting used for signage today wasn't available at that time. The most often used technique was called button type or button copy. This was when "buttons" - small white reflectors - were embedded into the letters that made up the text on the sign. At night, the reflectors traced the outline of the letters, providing a glowing legend on a dark background that was easily legible.
This image shows how button type looks by day. To see a night image, roll your mouse over the sign.
The final state to stop using button copy was Arizona, in December of 2000. These days, button copy signs are disappearing throughout the nation as they are replaced by modern signs using reflective sheeting, which reflects the whole sign (background and all).