As seen in Pontiac, Illinois, at the Route 66 museum - and Google's Gemini suggests - - - - Pontiac is home to the International Walldog Mural & Sign Art Museum (located in the same downtown museum complex as the Route 66 Hall of Fame), which preserves traditional hand-painted advertising and sign-painting techniques. Shot this hand-painted wood panel piece at the Route 66 Hall of Fame / International Walldog Mural & Sign Art Museum in Pontiac, Illinois.

Love the linework, wood grain show-through, and the pre-1959 Chief profile logo before GM moved to the arrowhead dart. Thought the paint slingers here would appreciate the traditional lettering and layout!

as seen at the Volo Auto Museum, Volo, Illinois

as seen while walking in the Absolut Museum in Åhus, Sweden

as seen in the Zippo Museum, Bradford, PA -

Photo taken during our visit this month to the Zippo Museum in Bradford, PA. - Need some help identifying the picture - Think this has to have some history - what can you find? - - - - - - - - -

That painting captures one of the most famous figures in Zippo history: Windy (originally introduced as the "Windproof Beauty" or the "Windy Girl").

Here is the backstory behind the iconic character featured in your photo:

The Origin Story

• Debut (1937): Windy made her national debut in the December 1937 issue of Esquire magazine. Zippo's founder, George G. Blaisdell, wanted a bold marketing push to capture the attention of urban male readers during the holiday shopping season.
• The Artist: The original character was created by Enoch Bolles (often spelled Enoc Boles), one of the most celebrated early American glamour and pin-up illustrators.
• The "Fan Test": The entire advertising campaign was built around proving Zippo's defining feature—that it was entirely windproof. Early print ads featured Windy effortlessly lighting up in a heavy gust of wind, popularizing Zippo's famous corporate challenge: the "Fan Test".

Her Legacy at Zippo

Windy quickly became Zippo's first official corporate spokesmodel. Over the last nearly 90 years, she has been adapted into countless collector lighters, retro tin signs, clothing, and packaging art.

The painting you photographed at the Zippo/Case Museum represents a slightly later, cleaner mid-century iteration of her character—swapping out the original outdoor windblown look for a classic portrait style while retaining her distinctive red hair and steady Zippo flame.

as seen during a visit to the Zippo Museum

It's the kids and then the adults on Spring Road - - this Thursday at 6:30 PM for Music at the Gazebo - come see two different generations pump their heart and soul into performing for the community - pack a picnic or take out from one of the restaurants up and down Spring Road - a nice way to spend an early evening (even before the sun sets and summer starts)