Associated with the car and its freedom, the motel is quickly becoming a habit in the travel modes of Americans: From the family going on vacation to the commercial touring several cities, everyone enjoys a low-cost and easily accessible stay. So much so that in the mid-1960s, no less than 61,000 motor hotels were open across the USA. Each motel had to differentiate itself from the others and quickly catch the driver looking for a place to spend the night. Bright and colourful, it doesn't take much to see the neon lights illuminating the roadside with flashy, eye-catching and hypnotic signs.

Typical of the "American way of life" the motel inspires filmmakers (Alfred Hitchcock - Psychosis), painters (Edward Hopper - Western Motel) and remains one of the strong symbols in the representation of American culture.