Neon Signs’ Past And Future

Neon Signs’ Past And Future
We all have had some experience with neon signs. At one point of time in recent history, it occupied a place outside every motel and restaurant. Neon signs are luminous-tube signs which contain neon or any of the inert gases. The tubes are generally kept at low pressure. The tube glows brightly when high voltage is applied through it.

The term neon comes from the Greek word ‘Neos’, which means ‘new gas’. The invention of the neon gas and then the neon lamps which led to neon signs is widely considered as one of the most astounding discoveries in the field of lighting. The origin of neon signs can be traced way back to 1675, when Jean Picard, a French astronomer observed a faint glow in mercury barometer tube but could not establish its source. This was only understood after the discovery of static electricity.

Riding on various scientific inventions, the “Geissler Tube” was invented by Heinrich Geissler. By continuing scientific research on different gases and electricity, neon was discovered. Nobel Prize winner, Sir William Ramsay and Morris W. Travers discovered neon gas. Borrowing the elements of Heinrich Gissler’s tubes, renowned scientist Nikola Tesla displayed a neon lamp sign for the first time in 1893. Further developing the idea, French scientist George Claude developed the neon sign. A glass tube was taken and light was produced in it by passing a small electric current through it.

The inert gas used was neon and hence it was called so. He then twisted the glass tube to give it different shapes as required. George Claude had displayed these neon signs for the first time at Paris Expo in 1910. Then in 1923, he brought these lights to America under the banner of Claude’s Neons. The first two neon signs were bought by a Packard Motor Car Company dealership in Los Angeles for $ 1250, a piece. It became an instant hit in America.

People were fascinated by its red illumination and it became popular as “Liquid Fire”. Places like Las Vegas use them in ample and it became symbolic of American creativity. The neon signs enjoyed immense popularity till 1950’s and then witnessed a sharp decline in 1960’s due to changed preferences. But since the 1980’s, neon signs have again started showing signs of recovery.

The love affair with neon lights has lasted over a century, and it’s a pretty safe bet that it won’t be ending any time soon.

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