PENNANT FACTORY
Homemade pennants inspired by designs of the past
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Above: The Forum's exterior profile was dominated by no less than 100 columns. Together, they supported a compression ring system that held up the roof and scoreboard. | From 1967 to 1999, the Forum in Inglewood, CA served as the home of the Los Angeles Lakers (NBA) and Los Angeles Kings (NHL). The mid-century landmark was designed by Charles Luckman Associates, the same firm responsible for Madison Square Garden in New York. Encircled by a colonnade of brilliant white columns supporting a scalloped roofline, the arena housed the court where Jerry West won the first of 17 world championships for the Lakers on May 6, 1972. On March 23, 1994 its ice played host to Wayne Gretzky's 802 goal, surpassing the great Gordie Howe as the NHL's all-time leading scorer. And, of course, it's where Jack Nicholson and countless other celebs came to see (and be seen). The Forum wasn't just an architectural delight; it was an engineering feat. In the 1960s, arenas and stadiums were being built with unobstructed views of the playing surface. Engineering innovations of the day made this possible. At the Forum, its designers erected a circular compression ring atop those exterior columns. Think of it as, like, a bicycle wheel, with many spokes radiating outward from its center. This ingenious design supported a circular roof measuring 407 feet in diameter. Underneath that roof, fans could see the players without any columns or posts blocking their sight lines. Of course, a sturdy roof overhead not only protected the fans from the elements; it allowed designers the chance to hang a cubic scoreboard above center court/ice for all to see. |
In 2018 I started a separate website called Pennant Fever dedicated to 20th century felt novelty manufacturers. It focuses on these companies' history, products, etc. Eventually, my interest in these businesses inspired me to start making my own pennants. THIS site you're currently viewing, Pennant Factory, is where I'll showcase some of the felt projects I've taken on. Most are reproductions of real pennants once for sale to the public. I've done my best to re-create the originals as authentically as possible based upon surviving photos, known dimensions, etc. Others are my original work, intended to look like the styles of yesteryear. Some turned out better than others. See for yourself. Enjoy! -KRB
All
1916 NL Champs Pennant
1952 + 1953 NL Champs Banners
1955/2020 WS Champs Banners
1955 WS Champs Pennant
1959 NL Champs Pennant
1963/2020 WS Champs Pennant
1965/2020 WS Champs Pennant
2020 WS Champs Burgee
"3-D Pennant" (ca. 1950s)
"B.B.C. Series" Pennant (ca. 1910)
Bklyn. Robins Pennant (ca. 1917)
"Burnt Leather Seal" (ca. 1940s) - Collegiate Mfg. Co.
"Caricature Pennant" - Clayton Kershaw
"Caricature Pennant" - GS Warriors
"Date Pennant" (ca. 1960s)
Dodger Stadium Scoreboard (1988)
Early 1910s Football Pennants - Reproduction Co.
"Grommet Pennant" - 1920 NL Champs Pennant
GW Forum Scoreboard (1998) - LA Kings
Jackie Robinson Pennant (1947)
Keezer "Emblem Pennant" (ca. 1950s)
"Kicked Football Series" Pennant (ca. 1940s) - Epstein Novelty Co.
LA Dodgers V. SF Giants "1st. GAME" Pennant (1958)
"Mascot Banner" - Chicago Pennant Co.
"Mascot Banner" - Collegiate Mfg. Co.
"Mascot Banner" (II) - Chicago Pennant Co.
"Monogram Pennant" (ca. 1910s)
ND "NO PARKING" Sign
ND Stadium Scoreboard (1988)
ND Stadium Signage
Notre Dame Banner (1931)
Notre Dame Pennant (1925)
Notre Dame Pennant (ca. 1965)
Oakland Raiders (AFL) Pennant (1960) - ADFLAG
Oakland Raiders (AFL) Pennant (ca. 1960) - Trench
Phila. Athletics Pennant (ca. 1910)
"Photo Pennant" (ca. 1960s)
Schaefer Promo Sign (1955)
Staples Ctr. Banners - Lakers
Staples Ctr. Banners - LA Kings
"Trophy Banner" (ca. 1920)
Vin Scully Tribute Banner (2022)
"WELCOME....' Banner" - Carly Bros.
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