For The History Buffs:
Hobos were prideful in that they both traveled and worked, while tramps only traveled and bums did neither. If you called a Hobo a bum or a tramp, they were highly insulted - rightfully so.
Hobos have played a big part in the history of America – one that’s often ignored. They were the nomadic workers who roamed the country at the start of the 20th century and through the Great Depression, taking work wherever they could and never spending too long in any one place. In their extensive travels, hobos learned to leave notes for each other, giving information on the best places to camp or find a meal, or dangers that lay ahead. This unique Hobo Code was known to the brotherhood of freight train riders and used by all to keep the community of traveling workers safe, fed and in work.
The diverse symbols in the Hobo Code could be found scrawled in coal or chalk all across the country and were a fascinating system of communication symbols. The purpose of the code was not only to help others find what they needed, but to keep the entire lifestyle possible for everyone.
Messages left for other travelers had to be easy to read but look like little more than random markings to everyone else to maintain an element of secrecy. Many of the hobo glyphs were cryptic and nearly impossible for people outside of the hobo community to understand, even if they spotted them.
And there's a distinct difference between Hobos, Tramps, and Bums. Simply put, Hobos traveled and worked, Tramps traveled, and Bums did neither. You can find out more under our inspiration.
Symbols Are A Time Tested Language
Symbolic language - Our artistic revamp of the historic symbolic expressions are far reaching as people recognize common core statements between each other - even if they've never met. These symbols are the secret handshake, wink-wink, and nod-nod of mutual understanding. If we can help folks communicate, then we've done our job.
People have a need to connect, a sense of belonging, and a way to share their connectedness. And even when there's that sense of connection, sometimes, although we feel it deeply, we don't always want to shout it from the rooftops so we use more subtle methods. How better to do that than with a distinguishable, proven symbol!
The Symbol for "Man with a Gun Lives Here" - and in contemporary language, "It’s OK To Own A Gun".
Symbols As A Messenger - For Example:
Man with a gun lives here – what a statement that is! This symbol originally forewarned those who passed by (and in the know) that a man with a gun lived in the area. Translated for contemporary use, many people believe the following narrative: While many of us struggle with the day to day news of violence and chaos not only in our own country but seemingly the entire globe, we are still strong with our feelings that we have a right to defend ourselves, hunt for our own food, and feel safe.
Many people do not believe it's wrong to own a gun – to each their own – and it shouldn't automatically make one a criminal or feel bad because they do.
And another great example: “Beer in this Town”. There's a reason to celebrate; especially in the Willamette Valley in Oregon where hops grow like weeds and an amazing array of micro-brews are only a quick stroll away...
FYI: Oregon is one of the leading states for microbrews.
"Beer In This Town" is our contemporary version of the original code, "Alcohol In This Town". One can only begin to imagine the other variations we have in the works that fits the possibilities of this symbol.