Two authors are seeking stories about several long-gone businesses along Route 66 in Albuquerque that used Zeon Corporation-designed signs to attract customers, according to a story in the Albuquerque Journal.
University of New Mexico professors Ellen Babcock and Mark C. Childs are working on a book titled “The Zeon Files” that will be published UNM Press late next year.
Zeon Corp. also was known as Electrical Products of New Mexico, and drawings from that company will be included in the book.
The Journal reported:
“We have about 70 pieces of work that we’re finding the stories behind,” Babcock said. “This was an amazing time for sign productions and a lot of the businesses would up the ante with their eye-catching designs.” […]
Babcock said that, in the early 1970s, the city moved in a different direction and changed the ordinance for sign heights.
“It kind of squashed the exuberance of it all,” she said. “But looking at the drawings, you can see all the hard work and detail that went into each sign.” […]
“We’re hoping to draw the people out and get a conversation started about the signs,” she said. “It was an interesting time to drive down Central and see all of these signs. Now they are gone and we want to preserve the stories.”
Among the businesses the duo needs stories from are Star Florist, Roadrunner Coffee Shop, Bimbo’s Drive Inn, Paris Shoe Shop and Eddie’s Inferno Cocktail Lounge.
Several examples of the Zeon Corp.’s blueprints for the signs can be seen here.
KRQE-TV in Albuquerque also had a story:
Childs can be contacted through mchilds(at)unm(dot)edu and Babcock at ebabcock(at)unm(dot)edu.
(Excerpted Zeon Corp. drawing of Eddie’s Inferno Cocktail Lounge sign via Friends of the Orphan Signs)
My father worked for electrical products when I was a child he tells me stories of all of the enovative stuff that be did there is supposed to be a book that has stories about him in it, I would like to find it. Also, he is still telling these stories if you would like to speak with him. He ran there any in Las Cruces NM. His name is James Matchen and phone number is 9186227811. Please help me find this. And he could contribute to your book. He is 76 and still restoring old signs for collectors today.