A traveling neon salesman's sample-case, 1935

This old Mental Floss post collects salesmans' miniatures from the 1930s, including mausoleums, swimming pools, Persian rugs, and more — but the gem is this gorgeous neon sample-case.


In 1935, you really had to peddle your neon. The competition was fierce. By 1940, there were over 2000 small shops in America producing neon light. A case like this would be far more impressive than any catalog, and would help "Dorwart Signs of Lancaster PA" outshine the competition.


9 Vintage Sample Cases from the Days of Traveling Salesmen

[Therese Oneill]


(via Clive Thompson)