Days Gone By - Burma Shave

For the under 40's  who never saw the Burma Shave signs,  here is a quick history lesson  of the 1930s and ’40s.  Before the interstate highways, everyone drove the old two lane roads.    Often, Burma Shave signs would be posted along the roadside beside the farmer's fields.    They were small red signs with white letters.   Five signs, about 100 feet apart, each containing one of a four line stanza and the final sign advertising Burma Shave, a popular shaving cream.  You can find out more about Burma Shave at http://www.mc.cc.md.us/Departments/hpolscrv/mthomas.htm Here are some of the many stanzas.

DON’T LOSE YOUR HEAD
TO GAIN A MINUTE
YOU NEED YOUR HEAD
YOUR BRAINS ARE IN IT
DROVE TOO LONG
DRIVER SNOOZING
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT
IS NOT AMUSING

AROUND THE CURVE
LICKETY-SPLIT
ITS A BEAUTIFUL CAR
WASN’T IT?

NO MATTER THE PRICE
NO MATTER HOW NEW
THE BEST SAFETY DEVICE
IN THE CAR IS YOU

BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL
EYES ON THE ROAD
THAT’S THE SKILLFUL
DRIVER’S CODE

THE ONE WHO DRIVES WHEN
HE’S BEEN DRINKING
DEPENDS ON YOU
TO DO HIS THINKING

PASSING SCHOOL ZONE
TAKE IT SLOW
LET OUR LITTLE
SHAVERS GROW