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Posted August 14,
2007 Four generations of electricians have kept 'Speedee' shining By Richard
Ryman
GREEN BAY — Speedee, the McDonald's icon on the sign on Shawano Avenue, is practically a member of the Mead family. Generations of Meads, beginning with Frank Mead, have been keeping Speedee functional. "He's kind of a neat little guy," said Steve Mead, 58, owner of Mead Electric Inc. and Frank's grandson. "We've been working on that sign since the early '60s." And Speedee requires a fair amount of attention. The historic metal and neon sign takes a beating from the elements. Mead said that while neon remains popular for signs, it has never been particularly resilient in cold climates. Speedee has been assaulted by wind, hail, birds and bad drivers, as well. "I've seen Speedee burn up about six times already because of birds' nests," he said. Two and a half years ago, the sign was taken down for repairs and a rebuilding of its base. Believing the sign was being replaced, people called the restaurant and the Green Bay Press-Gazette to express concern. "The (restaurant owners) want this sign fixed. They don't want the sign off for any length of time," Mead said. "They have people call, 'Your sign is out!'" The restaurant is owned by Schanock Investments of Green Bay. The sign is an original and was installed when the restaurant opened in 1958. It is believed there are only three others like it, at the McDonald's museum in Des Plaines, Ill., the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich., and in California. In 1958, Speedee, the hamburger man, was the McDonald's icon. The Golden Arches replaced Speedee in 1961, and Ronald McDonald made his first appearance in 1965. By the time the Meads began caring for Speedee, their company was 11 years old. Frank, his son Jack, his grandsons Steve and John, and great-grandson Tyler have all had a hand in keeping Speedee from getting seedy. His grandfather and father could fix neon tubes, but it's a skill Mead didn't acquire. He shops neon and structural work to Orde Advertising, while he handles installation and electrical work. Like most family members, Speedee can be cantankerous. Mead said the sign conducts 15,000 volts of electricity. "I've gotten tickled on that thing. My brother got tickled on that," he said. Mead also provides electrical services for other McDonald's stores in the area. Because his family has been doing electrical work since before World War II, there are few places in town they haven't worked. A few of their customers have been with them more than 50 years. Mead has a receipt for work his grandfather did on Cliff Wall Sr.'s house in 1950. Mead recently did work in that same house for a newer generation of Walls. He said he's humbled to work on electrical systems originally installed by his grandfather. "This is a business you can make a good living at, but you won't get rich," Mead said. "I've had some pretty good customers." Richard Ryman writes for the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
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