1925Duplex Advertising founded by R. V. Miller, Sr. with two
partners in Austin, Tex.19251980sDuplex Advertising-owned billboards stretched across the
central Texas area, from San Marcos to Temple. Involved with the manufacture
and installation of electric on-premise signage1960sThe Duplex Advertising Company of Temple, in Temple, Tex.,
created1970sThe Duplex Electric Signs company created as a separate
entity1980The portion of the business around Austin was sold to the
Rollins Outdoor Advertising Company. The Duplex Electric Sign Company was sold
to Bajon Signs (Austin, Tex.) 1981R. V. Miller, Jr. bought Duplex Advertising Company of Temple
from his father and brother (Will). R. V. Miller, Sr. and Will Miller managed
the Duplex Land Company and other family interests 1980s1990sDuplex added building new structures and acquiring several
companies, including Strasburger Enterprises of Temple, and the eastern
inventory of Norwood Outdoor Advertising (covering Killeen, Copperas Cove,
Gatesville, and Bosque counties) 1990Will Miller died1993R. V. Miller, Jr. died1994Duplex Advertising was operated in trust for Miller's heirs,
with R. Keith Johnson as president, and Tom Wicker and Dale Schigut as
vice-presidents1998Duplex Advertising was sold to Advantage Outdoor. Lamar
Outdoor Advertising has since acquired Advantage's holdings
R. V. (Bob) Miller, Jr. was born in Austin, Tex. in 1932. He served in the US Navy as a photographer's mate and then attended Texas Techonlogical University where he received a BBA in Advertising and an MBA. He began his career in outdoor advertising at San-Tex Advertising, in San Angelo, Tex. From there, Miller founded and worked with the Duplex Advertising Company in Austin, Duplex Electric Signs, and Duplex Advertising Company in Temple, Tex. He also taught courses in economics, advertising, marketing, and statistics. One of his articles included in the collection addresses the application of advertising realities in the classroom.
From the guide to the Duplex Advertising Company. Billboard Images and Records, circa 1964-1993 and undated, (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University)