The history of the Interstate shield

[Quillz]

From what I know, the original Interstate shield was black and white. It had the same color scheme of the US numbered highway shields (black numerals against white background), but had the familiar Interstate shield we know today.

Do any pics of this original shield exist? I imagine they'd have to predate 1956. I'm curious to know if any other designs were ever considered, and why the shape of the shield was chosen over other shapes.

[agentsteel53]

somewhere I once saw the black and white model you refer to, as well as a similar one that had a large letter  "I" formed out of the white margin and crossbar... difficult to describe but imagine a slightly ornate vertical line splitting the crown down the middle.

there were many competing designs starting in 1956.





the standard marker we know and love was adopted in July 1957, with the first AASHO manual of October 1957 showing the specifications.  It is very close to this specification of 1956 - note the varied but consistently extra-large state name.  I get the idea that the first preliminary specification given to the states had this design on it and some forgot to replace it with the formal spec when it was finalized.







as far as the oldest interstate shields to be put up, I believe they were I-70 on the Kansas Turnpike, in August '57.

[agentsteel53]

it should be noted that New York I-75 is the shield that is illustrated in the AASHO manual as a reference example.  Like Maine US 56 and Kansas US 56 from 1926.

[Quillz]

Good thing they didn't go with the somewhat ugly US silhouette design...

[US71]

Good thing they didn't go with the somewhat ugly US silhouette design...

I believe I read Texas had the design, but Missouri had the right colors.

Some rejected designs:
https://mavspace.uta.edu/cejcwill/signs/proposed%20interstate%20shields.pdf

http://road-less-taken.blogspot.com/2009/01/what-might-have-been.html

ALSO: http://www.interstate50th.org/gallery.shtml  but the site appears to be down

[agentsteel53]

wow, some of those are awesomely horrible!

[Quillz]

Good thing they didn't go with the somewhat ugly US silhouette design...

I believe I read Texas had the design, but Missouri had the right colors.

Some rejected designs:
https://mavspace.uta.edu/cejcwill/signs/proposed%20interstate%20shields.pdf

http://road-less-taken.blogspot.com/2009/01/what-might-have-been.html

Wow, thanks for those links! Some of those designs are REALLY ugly, though, like the fat "I" on on the first page. And then there were the lazy designs, like the one that just takes the US route shield and puts an I- in front of the number.

[TheStranger]

You know, that black-on-white Interstate shield could serve as a useful alternative, say...for "substandard" sections!  As opposed to getting so caught up in technicalities that routes have to have different numbers, or shield shapes.  (i.e. use this for I-180 in Wyoming, or the street-running segment of I-78 in Jersey City)

It reminds me somewhat of what I've read was used for Rhode Island's state route 195 (now US 6) in Providence.

And what's the deal (in that PDF) with US Route B? 

[US71]

And what's the deal (in that PDF) with US Route B? 

Maybe they thought Interstates would be lettered routes?

[Michael in Philly]

You know, that black-on-white Interstate shield could serve as a useful alternative, say...for "substandard" sections!  As opposed to getting so caught up in technicalities that routes have to have different numbers, or shield shapes.  (i.e. use this for I-180 in Wyoming, or the street-running segment of I-78 in Jersey City)

It reminds me somewhat of what I've read was used for Rhode Island's state route 195 (now US 6) in Providence.

And what's the deal (in that PDF) with US Route B? 

I was on RI 195, back in the day.  Because I'm a roadgeek.  There was indeed a black-on-white shield, with the Interstate configuration, the words "RHODE ISLAND" above the crossbar and just the number below it.

[Michael in Philly]

wow, some of those are awesomely horrible!

Did you say somewhere that the state name is "back in the specs"?  If so, is it optional, encouraged, permitted...?  Are we likely to see more and more unneutered shields?  I hate the neutered ones.

[Ian]

wow, some of those are awesomely horrible!

Did you say somewhere that the state name is "back in the specs"?  If so, is it optional, encouraged, permitted...?  Are we likely to see more and more unneutered shields?  I hate the neutered ones.

The state name is optional. Luckily, a few states have taken that option like Maine, Connecticut, and New Jersey.

[FLRoads]

The state name is optional. Luckily, a few states have taken that option like Maine, Connecticut, and New Jersey.

And Mississippi has within the last year re-instituted the state named shield on all signs (reassurance, guide, etc.). There are still neutered shields around, but more and more, the state named shield is returning throughout the state.

[Ian]

The state name is optional. Luckily, a few states have taken that option like Maine, Connecticut, and New Jersey.

And Mississippi has within the last year re-instituted the state named shield on all signs (reassurance, guide, etc.). There are still neutered shields around, but more and more, the state named shield is returning throughout the state.

And more recently, Louisiana!

[rickmastfan67]

The state name is optional. Luckily, a few states have taken that option like Maine, Connecticut, and New Jersey.

Don't forget West Virgina as well.

[Ian]

The state name is optional. Luckily, a few states have taken that option like Maine, Connecticut, and New Jersey.

Don't forget West Virgina as well.

Should have mentioned that. My parent's went to college there

[agentsteel53]

that Idaho-proposed eagle is eight ways to awesome.  A sign like that needs to be installed... somewhere, anywhere!

[agentsteel53]

And what's the deal (in that PDF) with US Route B? 

it's New Mexico.  Enough said!