The ancient Greeks and Romans used signs to depict specific businesses, using symbols made of terracotta, wood, stone or metal. Around 1389, a law was passed in England by King Richard III that any establishment selling ale must place a sign outside the building.

It didn’t take long before the utilitarian signs became more intricate, including logos and images like lions, shields, dragons, and other popular symbols of the time. During the 16th and 17th centuries, signs became increasingly flamboyant with gold leafing, wrought iron and hand-carved wooden designs being commonplace.

LED and digital signage have given businesses the opportunity to be highly creative with their messaging and displays.

It’s uncommon today to see a business without a sign. Telling potential customers who you are and what you do is essential in their decision to enter a store or not. Of course, billboards and other outdoor advertising spaces have expanded this concept.

Digital options, however, have changed the way signage is approached. Now, content can be altered in an instant – from video to live feeds. There are challenges with digital signage, of course, because of weather conditions, sunlight, and durability. However, innovative technology always finds a way to overcome potential challenges.

For example, the Samsung solution to digital signage offers a completely integrated, self-contained ultra-slim display with an embedded power box, housed in an impact-resistant enclosure and thermally protected by a patent-pending filter-less steady cooling system.

Even in outdoor spaces that are affected by direct sunlight, Samsung’s high 2 500-nit brightness, an auto-brightness sensor that optimises brightness, together with circular polarising technology and 5 000:1 contrast ratio (3 000:1 for 85" display) work together to deliver easily seen messages, no matter what the light conditions.

For more information, visit www.samsung.com. You can also follow Samsung South Africa on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.