Zachary Crockett

These informal networks of roads were a predecessor to the highway system in America. And along these roads, there were very rudimentary ways of telling drivers where they were and what was up ahead. Most of these signs were hand-painted. Some had words, others had symbols.

They were made from an assortment of materials in all different sizes and shapes, and the signs were different from place to place.

They were made from an assortment of materials in all different sizes and shapes, and the signs were different from place to place.

They were made from an assortment of materials in all different sizes and shapes, and the signs were different from place to place.

As people started driving further and crossing state lines, they didn't know how to interpret all the markers they saw.

As people started driving further and crossing state lines, they didn't know how to interpret all the markers they saw.

As people started driving further and crossing state lines, they didn't know how to interpret all the markers they saw.

In the 1930s, these efforts culminated in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, or MUTCD for short. It provided a set of standards for traffic control devices across America's growing system of roads. Today, it's run by the Federal Highway Administration, and every state in the U.S. adheres to its guidelines.

In the 1930s, these efforts culminated in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, or MUTCD for short. It provided a set of standards for traffic control devices across America's growing system of roads. Today, it's run by the Federal Highway Administration, and every state in the U.S. adheres to its guidelines.

In the 1930s, these efforts culminated in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, or MUTCD for short. It provided a set of standards for traffic control devices across America's growing system of roads. Today, it's run by the Federal Highway Administration, and every state in the U.S. adheres to its guidelines.

It's nearly 1,200 pages long, and it lays out the ground rules for more than 500 signs, markings, and signals, everything from the octagon shape of stop signs to the precise size of an exit sign on the freeway. These rules are determined by the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Hawkins serves as the committee's chair.

It's nearly 1,200 pages long, and it lays out the ground rules for more than 500 signs, markings, and signals, everything from the octagon shape of stop signs to the precise size of an exit sign on the freeway. These rules are determined by the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Hawkins serves as the committee's chair.

It's nearly 1,200 pages long, and it lays out the ground rules for more than 500 signs, markings, and signals, everything from the octagon shape of stop signs to the precise size of an exit sign on the freeway. These rules are determined by the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Hawkins serves as the committee's chair.

Technically, highway sign refers to any type of sign that communicates something to drivers on the road. And the MUTCD breaks these signs down into three categories.

Technically, highway sign refers to any type of sign that communicates something to drivers on the road. And the MUTCD breaks these signs down into three categories.

Technically, highway sign refers to any type of sign that communicates something to drivers on the road. And the MUTCD breaks these signs down into three categories.

Guide signs are those enormous placards on the freeway that tell you which exits or intersecting highways are coming up, and how far away they are. And everything you see on one of these signs is a calculated decision, starting with the font. Most signs use a special sans-serif typeface that's unofficially called Highway Gothic. It's almost exclusively designed for highway signage.

Guide signs are those enormous placards on the freeway that tell you which exits or intersecting highways are coming up, and how far away they are. And everything you see on one of these signs is a calculated decision, starting with the font. Most signs use a special sans-serif typeface that's unofficially called Highway Gothic. It's almost exclusively designed for highway signage.

Guide signs are those enormous placards on the freeway that tell you which exits or intersecting highways are coming up, and how far away they are. And everything you see on one of these signs is a calculated decision, starting with the font. Most signs use a special sans-serif typeface that's unofficially called Highway Gothic. It's almost exclusively designed for highway signage.

The words on these guide signs are almost always set in mixed case, with initial capitals followed by lowercase letters. There's a good reason for that.