very unique and unusually large late 1940's american industrial single-sided surface mount (or possibly once double-sided on a freestanding sign pole) building facade "ge" factory or appliance (various colors within the monogram's solid color background) monogram "ge" logo advertising sign fabricated by or for general electric, schenectady, n.y. the massive cold-rolled steel sign with intact brightly colored vitreous or porcelain enameled finish features the "swirly logo" in red and white lettering against a nice cobalt blue background. with the exception of slight discoloration (i.e., fading) from prolonged exposure to the elements, the porcelain finish remains amazingly intact. the factory building or appliance warehouse sign was purportedly salvaged from a lamp or lighting division factory or warehouse located in detroit, mi. the sign is comprised of heavy gauge steel with folded or flanged edges. thomas alva edison founded the edison electric light company in 1878 to manufacture and sell his new invention - the incandescent electric lamp. later, edison combined all his businesses under edison general electric company that merged with thomson-houston electric company in 1892, to form the general electric company. the monogrammed logo has changed little since inception. the original monogrammed circular logo was trademarked on september 18, 1900. the industrial sign measures 42 x 43 inches.