By clicking on the highway torch link on that page, you'll go to a location with pictures of modern copies of kerosene highway flares, and further info about their history.
Growing up in the fifties, I too don't recall traffic cones being used much, if at all. Although Wikipedia mentions they were invented in the1910's, I don't think they were available in the modern plastic version until much later. That would have depended on the industrial ability to cast flexible plastics in large sizes. In the fifties, if it was flexible, it was likely to be rubber, not plastic. The first traffic cones were apparently concrete, with limited portability, so it makes sense that they wouldn't be used much for road repair sites.
The black and white stripes on the wooden saw horse type barriers were painted on a diagonal line, and were only on the horizontal cross-member, as I recall.
Lastly, there are two books on Burma Shave signs:
The Verse by the Side of the Road, by Frank Rowsome, Jr.
Burma-Shave: The Rhymes, The Signs, The Times, by Bill Vossler
I've got the first book, and it's terrific. A complete history of the company and it's unique publicity campaign, with a complete year by year listing of the verses at the back. Since the signs were only up for two years or so before being replaced by new ones, with a listing like that, you're sure to have a verse used at the time. Both books are in print, and can be ordered from Amazon, and other book sellers. There's also a wealth of info on the internet, including photos of sign collections. Just search for the terms: Burma Shave Sign
Hope this helps out.
-Ed
My job is
Keeping faces clean
And nobody knows
De stubble
I've seen
Burma-Shave
He tried
To cross
As fast train neared
Death didn't draft him
He volunteered
Burma-Shave
Five out of four people have trouble with fractions. -Anonymous
Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead. -Benjamin Franklin
"You don't have to be Jeeves to love butlers, but it helps." (Followers of Levi's Real Jewish Rye will get this one) -Ed K
"A potted watch never boils." -Ed Kowal
If it's not fun, why do it ? -Ben & Jerry
