In 1947, Goodyear replaced the neon tubes with 182 individual incandescent bulbs, which lit up the sky with the Goodyear logo and wingfoot trademark. To accomplish this, a punch tape was encoded with holes, and was then passed over a pool of mercury in a device called a mercury reader. An electronic contact was completed each time a hole passed over the mercury, which then turned on a specific light. Each board is approximately 2x3 inches in size and is comprised of 12 LED, separated into four groups, each group consisting of three LED - red, green and blue. Programming messages for the sign is easy.
Text is typed directly into a computer file, which sends the information to the lights.
Animation and video is a bit more of a challenge. Animation is constructed from stills in a step by step sequence, while video is recorded and translated by software into a format the night signboards can transmit. At times, more than 50 percent of the messages flashed on the night-signs of the Goodyear airships are devoted to public service. The remainder is used for Goodyear marketing and dealer support promotions. A spinning Goodyear logo, a United Way emblem, a speeding race car, and dazzling fireworks are all part of the Goodyear night sign animation library, which expands its catalog each year.