The History of Neon Signs & Evolution to LED Neon Signs

Neon signs illuminate the streets and add a colorful glow to cityscapes. Their storied history harks back to the serendipitous observations of French astronomer Jean Picard in 1675. From the scientific corridors in Paris to the iconic neon signs of Las Vegas, these radiant beacons have evolved beyond mere advertising tools to become symbols of artistry and nostalgia.

We trace the journey of neon signs—a route marked by discoveries and technological advancements—and delve into a narrative in which neon has morphed from glowing gas-filled glass tubes to the energy-efficient modern LED neon that we now see all around us.

This article will walk you through the golden era of neon signs, their decline, and the subsequent rise of LED alternatives. We outline the future of neon signage by exploring modern applications, technological innovations, and the environmental strides made with LED neon.

The Discovery & Early History of Neon Lighting

The history of neon signs begins with the discovery of the element Neon—symbol Ne and atomic number 10—an inert gas present within the Earth’s atmosphere. First identified in 1898 by British chemists Sir William Ramsay and Morris W. Travers, neon remained a curiosity—at that time, it was an element that had been discovered, but they hadn’t yet found a function for it.

Neon is one of the noble gases and is an abundant element in Earth’s atmosphere.

Ramsay and Travers received a Nobel prize for their discovery of four gases: neon, argon, krypton, and xenon.

In the scientific community, testing and experimentation on neon gas continued. Neon gas’ journey from a rarefied laboratory specimen to the cornerstone of city streetscapes and widespread use had begun.

In the years after 1898, some of the most notable discoveries were:

• Electrical Excitement: When an electrical charge was applied to neon gas enclosed in a sealed glass tube (neon tube), it emitted a bright red glow. This discovery captured the attention of engineers and sign makers on how this might be used in a neon lamp.
• The Paris Effect: In 1910, Georges Claude, a French engineer, presented the first neon lights to the public in Paris. They were met with fascination, and soon after, neon lamps became synonymous with modern cities, transforming Paris into the ‘City of Light.’
• Signage Revolution: Claude’s patent and manufacturing process for neon light paved the way for the medium’s commercialization. In 1912, the first neon sign was sold on display outside a barber shop in Paris. This was the first advertising sign using neon, and over the next few years, utilizing neon gas signs for commercial shopfront signage quickly became commonplace.
• From Europe to America: The phenomenon of traditional neon signs crossed the Atlantic, with the first neon signs in a US installation in 1923 – the sign said, “Packard”, as was ordered for the Packard Motor Car Company. This first sign began the expansion in the USA, and it quickly took over US cityscapes.
• Colorful Expansion: Though initially emitting only a reddish hue, advances in neon tubes filled with different gases or coated with fluorescent powders expanded the neon color palette, enabling vibrant neon light signs in many different colors.

 

 

 

How a Gas Neon Sign is made

After the first neon sign was invented in 1912 and neon signs had landed in the US, with the first neon signs in the USA being in 1923, we saw neon signs catch on like wildfire. Production of neon signs had been refined, and now companies were mass-producing custom neon signs. The glass and gas neon signs of that time were all made by hand – people blowing the glass tubing and then laying out the glass tubing onto wooden or metal backboards with metal mounting brackets. Then, the electrodes were mounted into the glass tubing, and finally, the sign was filled with neon gas. This is identical to incandescent bulbs – electrical current reacting with the gas inside the glass bulb.

The Golden Age of Neon Signs

We can’t explore the history of neon signs without now visiting the Golden Age of neon signs – a period spanning from the 1920s to the 1960s.

This era witnessed gas neon signs in their heyday, where every main street seemed to be bathed in neon light’s soft yet striking glow. Big and small businesses throughout the USA clamored to have their names etched in luminous neon, making it the quintessence of outdoor advertising for shopfronts. Despite being quite costly, neon signs became ingrained in the visual urban culture of the time.

The landscape was evolving:

• We saw the evolution from the singular neon glow to a mesmerizing spectrum of colors; thanks to the development of fluorescent and phosphor coatings for the glass tubes, neon sign makers could offer a more diverse and vivid neon color palette.
• With the growth of cities and the boom in roadside businesses, custom neon signs came to the fore, rendering each establishment distinct and easily recognizable even from a distance.

This period served as undeniable evidence that a traditional neon sign was not just a means to gain customer attention but a staple in setting the atmosphere of a whole city and defining an age.

The Decline of Traditional Neon Signs

The first hurdle presented to neon signs’ ever-expanding growth was World War II, between 1939 and 1945. World War II meant most human production efforts and raw materials were funneled toward war machine production. It made for more businesses’ belt-tightening and a lower need for traditional gas neon signage. Having said that, neon signs prevailed, and with no alternative, it was just a matter of time before the economy reverted and started to grow again – and the need for neon signs was booming again.

The mid-1960s to early 1970s proved a pivotal moment in the history of neon signs – their luster began to dim with the emergence of newer technologies, LED lights were invented in 1962, and mass-produced LED light bulbs in 1968. This heralded a new age in advertising displays.

After the invention of LED lighting, it was just a matter of time before gas and glass neon lighting would be overtaken and maybe even totally replaced.

Modern Manufacturing of Old Traditional Neon Signs

Whilst LED lights were set to replace neon signs, the traditional neon signs still had a huge following and the charm that many sought. Even today, as the World is bathed in LED light, there are companies that specialize in making those traditional glass tube and gas-filled neon signs.

Traditional neon signs are still appreciated in the USA, and some of the main reasons:

• Collectible: The undiminished demand for vintage neon signs, where rarity and historical significance amplify their value as collector’s items.
• Historical: Several gas neon signs adorn buildings or businesses, and have historical value, for these reasons, they are maintained and replaced with the same technology when needed.
• Artistic: Many artists love the raw magnetic appeal of the glass, the gas, and the metal work of a gas neon sign, and therefore, these have formed a unique neon artwork following.
• Nostalgia: Some people have nostalgia for those old neon signs and continue to want to collect them.

For these reasons, gas neon signs may never completely disappear from circulation.

Evolution of Neon Sign Technology – LED Neon Light Signs

In 1962, LED lights were invented, and by 1968, Monsanto was mass-producing LED light bulbs (LED stands for light emitting diode). While LED lighting was in its infancy, even at this early point in time, LED lights still had advantages over their prior technology. LEDs were longer lasting, less fragile, and more energy efficient.

Since then, LEDs have continued to evolve, and nowadays, in terms of signage, we have LED neon flex—a string of smaller LED lights chained into plastic tubing.

The main reasons LED neon flex has caught on:

• Efficient: A prime advantage of LED neon flex is its energy efficiency. LED light signs consume significantly less power than traditional gas-neon signs. LED neon is eco-friendly.
• Colors: The leap in LED technology has allowed for a burst of creativity in the color spectrum. LED lights are available in 21 different bright colors and can be dimmed, making for hundreds of hues and combinations.
• Longevity: LED neon flex lights are longer-lasting and offer 30,000 to 70,000 light hours, or 12-20 years, in practical usage terms.
• Customization: LED neon flex can be chained together and made smaller, making it easier to produce custom neon signs. Designing with LED neon flex is much cheaper and faster, making for easier signage production.
• Control: LED lights have far greater control mechanisms, allowing for multiple colors, changing or programmable settings

An Example of a Dynamic Neon sign (multi-color LED neon flex with dynamic neon, programmable sign)

LED Neon Flex Signs – Beyond Business – At Home & Events

The use of LED neon flex was significant for business signage and, to this day, continues to improve and evolve.

Today’s applications for LED neon flex go far beyond commercial use. With the advent of this cheaper technology, which is now safer to use indoors (unlike gas and glass tube neon signs), LED neon signs are now available for use as indoor decor. LED neon signs are often used as decor in homes or at events (like weddings), adding warmth, vibrancy, lighting, and an improved mood setting.

With today’s technological advancements and the safety and lighting profile of LED neon signs, it’s no surprise that they have been harnessed for broader lighting purposes.

Examples of Home Decor neon signs

Conclusion

This article provides a detailed timeline of neon signs through their modern faux alternative, LED neon signs.

Reflecting on the history of neon signs, it’s striking to consider their humble beginnings in the early 1900s to the commanding presence they once held over bustling city streets and popular culture.

Even with the advanced technology present through advanced electronics, chips, and computing technologies, a thriving, albeit small, industry still exists for those traditional timeless gas neon signs of yesteryear.

Today, as we stand at the crossroads of heritage and progress, the evolution of neon signs to LED neon signs represents a conscious stride towards a greener, more sustainable future without compromising on the vintage feel or look that neon gas signs offered.

LED neon signs offer a harmonious blend of past and present, imbuing spaces with a distinct neon charm. They are also quieter to operate and significantly lower in energy costs.

If you want expert advice on building an LED neon sign for your business, home, or event, please get in touch with our customer service team today!