The Making of a Coca-Cola Neon Sign for Piccadilly Circus, 1954
The area began as a link between Piccadilly and Regent Street and when the tube was opened at Piccadilly Circus in 1906, Perrier became the first advertiser in 1908.
Many other signs soon appeared and visitors were awed by displays from Wrigley’s Chewing Gum, Gordon’s Gin, Army Club Cigarettes, Schweppes Tonic Water, and of course, Coca‑Cola. More than 50 brands have advertised in Piccadilly Circus, with Coca‑Cola the longest standing.
The building and installation of the sign is chronicled in a photo album held in The Coca‑Cola Archives. Leather bound and simply titled, The Piccadilly Sign, the black and white images within tell the story of the workers who made it from draft board to dramatic finished product.