After a brief pause in September to share the news of the acquisition of Bradish Signs sign, we’re back with the next installment of our Roto-Sphere story. Thank you to all who attended the talk in August co-hosted with the Society of Commerical Archeology! This month will share some of the story that was a part of that presentation. Last time, we left off in November 2024 when Tod dropped off the Museum’s new Roto-Sphere to Alan Whitacker in Whiteland, Indiana for restoration.
Alan has a self-described “bad love for old signs” with the Roto-Sphere holding a special place in his heart. He has restored his own Roto-Sphere, formerly of the Catalina Motel, now on display in Whiteland as well as another. His experience and expertise made him the perfect person to take on the challenges of getting the Museum’s sphere spinning again.
Meet Alan
The challenges and the work
Watch the restored sphere spin!
The ASM wishes to thank Alan for all of his hard work and dedication! As he mentions though, the job isn’t quite over.
The Neonworks team will soon be taking on the challenge of bending new tubes for the 19-foot-long arms to get the Roto-Sphere glowing again. We are incredibly grateful to the donors whose early support has powered us through this intensive physical rebuilding phase.
But getting it up and running is only half the battle. Once installed, maintaining the Roto-Sphere is going to require a lot of specialized skill and ongoing care from our collections and conservation teams.
Please consider supporting the long-term upkeep of the Roto-Sphere so it will keep spinning and glowing for years to come.
