By Michael Karl Witzel ©2007-2008

Heinrich Geissler invented one of the first genuine prototypes of the non-filament lamp in 1856. To create artificial light, he used high voltage alternating current to excite the carbon dioxide gas sealed inside a glass tube. But there was one major drawback: The energized gas reacted chemically with the power electrodes, causing their deterioration. Eventually, pressure dropped and the depleted tubes began to sputter.

Sammies Bar-B-Q Sign, Fort Worth, Texas

A few years later, D. McFarland Moore, former employee of Thomas Edison, solved the pressure problem. His contribution was a device that replenished the lost gas as the electrodes broke down. He was so confident of the new light’s lifespan that in 1904 he sold his first commercial sign installation to the proprietor of a Newark, New Jersey hardware store. Filled with atmospheric gas, it was the precursor of the “neon” sign.

In France, Georges Claude continued experimenting with Moore’s tubes. Instead of using carbon dioxide, he substituted rare gases like argon and neon. When excited by high voltage, argon was found to glow a grayish blue, and neon a fiery red. He also introduced a corrosion-resistant electrode, registering the design patent in 1915. Now, neon-filled tubes held pressure indefinitely, paving the way for practical sign applications.

While visiting the Claude Neon Factory in Paris, car dealer Earle Anthony was wowed by the distinctive glow of this rarefied gas tubing and decided to exploit the colorful sign technique at his Los Angeles car dealership. In 1923, he installed two blue-bordered signs that spelled out the word “Packard” in searing orange script. This was neon’s American debut, and passing vehicles jammed the boulevard to get a closer look at them.

By 1932, the patent for the non-corroding electrode expired, clearing the way for neon’s spread—coast-to-coast. Free from restrictions, sign shops became numerous. Suddenly, roadside businesses of every description wanted neon signs. By the end of the thirties, the majority of gas stations, drugstores, and drive-ins were decorated with a rainbow of electrified color.

As its popularity grew, neon lighting was often incorporated into the design of commercial architecture. The rounded corners of Streamline Moderne were the perfect fit for tubes of glowing glass. Mimicking the speed and movement of passing cars, bright tubes of plasma swooped, swirled, and danced, reinforcing the architectural illusion of forward momentum.

Street side, advertising signs attained a new boldness. Hand-painted boards were transformed in attention-getting productions of porcelain-enameled metal and hollow glass pipe. As animated characters hawked product, swirling arrows pointed to food and fun. America’s roadside businesses flickered to life, a bold palette of electrified color lighting the way with a neon buzz.

Neon Museums:

The Museum of Neon Art - Los Angeles, California
The Neon Museum - Las Vegas, Nevada

Neon Art Links:

Plasmarama - The art & science of plasma art
Traveling Light 2000 - An Exhibition of Luminous Glass Art
GlassArtists.org - Neon Glass Art from assorted artists

Neon Appreciation:

American Sign Museum - Sign museum of Cincinnati, Ohio
Bourbon Street Neon Gallery - New Orleans neon signs, photos by Andrew Wood
Flickr Neon Gallery - Flickr group dedicated to neon, over 6000 pictures
Historic Neon Signs of Los Angeles - Amazing collection of neon images
Kilokat’s Antique Light Bulb Site - Collection of antique discharge tubes
Lost Highway Museum - Old sign collection in Pomeroy, Washington
Motels of the Southwest - Interesting articles and neon images
Neon Historic Photo Gallery - Neon sign photos, U.S. and Western Canada
Roadside Peek - Cavalcade of classic roadside neon
San Jose Neon Gallery - San Jose neon signs, photos by Andrew Wood
Tesla Memorial Society - Neon pictures dating to 1893
The Googie Gallery - Random retro sign pictures
The Neon Survey - Survey of the Vegas strip by University of Nevada
Vancouver Museum - A virtual tour of Vancouver’s neon lights

Recent Entries

• Motels With Magic Fingers
• History of the American Diner
• Cheap Gas! The Golden Age of the Gas Station
• The Texas Pig Stands Drive-In
• The Legend of Allen Bell’s Flying A Service Station
• The Bomber Gas Station, Milwaukie, Oregon
• Bob Wian’s Double-Deck Big Boy Burger
• Remembering the Drive-In Theater
• A Brief History of Neon
• Barbecue Road Trip

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 29th, 2008 at 12:00 am and is filed under American Icons, Roadside America. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.