Whether descriptive (road signs) or prescriptive (advertisements), signs are dominant elements in the built landscape. Some have meaning beyond their intended function, for example, as records of a given era's visual culture. Others, such as old address numbers, are small representations of the city's history. Here we try to read into signs, rather than simply read them.

• Neonlicht: Currently and recently operational neon signs.
  

• Ukrainian Glass: Stained glass address numbers in Ukrainian Village.
  

• Disconnected Yellow Signs: They're just for decoration.
  

• Old Addresses: Explanation of early street numbering, with examples.
  

• Yellow Street Signs: The last few standing.
  

• Old Telephone Numbers: When telephone numbers were more than just numbers.
  

• To 90 or 290?: Outdated and uncommon expressway signage.
  

• The Municipal Device: A y-shaped figure representing Chicago.