Nothing here serves any useful purpose. And yet this side of a sheet-metal curve has (or at least had) 45 bulbs screwed into 45 sockets that had to be wired up. Same thing for the other side--making 90 bulbs in all. Then a switch was thrown and it lit up, perhaps blinking in sequence, adding more cost and complexity.

This is just one small portion of a sign for a restaurant that also incorporates neon and a lavish bulb-studded arrow. A restaurant that is now closed and for sale.

An artistic effect has been added.