If you’ve ever browsed vintage advertising or passed an old utility building, you’ve likely seen a grinning little figure with lightning bolt limbs and a light bulb for a nose. That’s Reddy Kilowatt—a true icon of American energy and one of the most beloved characters in the world of vintage porcelain enamel signs

First introduced in 1926, Reddy Kilowatt was more than just a cartoon. He was the personification of electricity during a time when power was changing the way Americans lived. Utility companies across the country used Reddy to make electricity feel safe, helpful, and exciting—and they stamped his image on porcelain enamel signs, and every form of advertising you can imagine.

Why Reddy Kilowatt Still Sparks Interest Among Collectors

Collectors today are still drawn to Reddy Kilowatt porcelain for a few key reasons:

• He represents a nostalgic golden age of American innovation
• His signs were made with real materials—not aluminum or acrylic
• They were often mounted at substations, utility buildings, and service stations
• Many originals were handmade with kiln-fired porcelain enamel or handblown neon glass tubes

These signs weren’t just decorations—they were built to last. 

Porcelain Enamel and Neon Signs: Built the Right Way

Whether it was a Real Reddy Kilowatt Neon Porcelain Round Can Sign hanging in a power company’s lobby or a porcelain wall sign mounted outside a lineman’s office, Reddy Kilowatt’s image was everywhere.

These signs weren’t mass-produced throwaways. They were made using processes that valued durability, color retention, and visual impact.

• Porcelain enamel signs were layered and kiln-fired for a hard, glossy finish
• Real transformers, steel housings, and powder-coated neon cans were standard—not exceptions

That’s the kind of quality we stand by at Porcelain Handcrafts.

Our signs are built like the originals, whether it’s a Reddy Kilowatt porcelain enamel sign or a glowing handmade neon sign with a steel case and glass tubing.

Still Lighting the Way: Reddy Kilowatt Today

Reddy Kilowatt remains one of the most iconic characters in the world of vintage electric utility signs. He’s right up there with Texaco, Sinclair Dino, the glowing Shell Scallop, and vintage Mobil Pegasus signs as a favorite of serious collectors.

Our goal is to bring back the craftsmanship that once defined these signs. Whether it’s kiln-fired porcelain , we make each one the way it used to be done—by hand, in the USA, and with no compromise on materials or quality.