Betty Willis, artist/designer of the world famous "Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas" neon sign has passed away at the age of 91.
The sign was first illuminated in 1959 and still remains one of the most famous landmarks ever in Las Vegas, as tourists and costumed buskers pose in front of the sign at all hours.
Remarkably, the sign’s design was never trademarked, as Willis and the company wanted it to belong to the masses, a decision that has led to widespread use on items ranging from key chains to coffee mugs to Christmas ornaments.
It's not even the lone Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign anymore. There are two others: The sign on Las Vegas Boulevard north of the Stratosphere that reads “Welcome to Fabulous Downtown Las Vegas” and a third on Boulder Highway that marks the gateway from the Boulder Strip to Las Vegas. All have the same design, but the original is far and away the most famous.
Willis said her inspiration for the sign’s famed oblong design was from the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. logo of the era. The starburst at the top was inspired by Disneyland, bringing to mind a happy destination. The seven silver dollars spelling out “welcome” were to remind of luck.
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