The use of neon signs dates back to 1675. French astronomer Jean Picard observed a faint glow in a mercury barometer tube. When he shook the tube, a glow occurred, but the cause of this glow was not understood at that time. Later investigated, it was found to be barometric light. This was a huge link in the development of future lighting sources (ie. the ones we have today). The first person to invent the first neon lamp was Georges Claude.

The word “neon” comes from the Greek word “neos” which means “new gas.” Neon is actually a gas element. Georges applied an electrical discharge to a sealed tube of neon gas to create the first neon lamp. It was first displayed to the public on December 11 1910, in Paris and patented in 1915. In 1923, Georges Claude introduced neon gas signs to the United States. These were purchased for $24,000.

Neon lighting has since become an important mechanism in conveying outdoor advertising messages. They are extremely eye catching, even during the day. How to make neon signs is kind of complicated. They are made with hollow glass tubes in either 4, 5 or 8 feet lengths. The neon signs can be shaped by being heated by lit gas and forced air. The temperatures range from 1600′F to over 3000′F. After the tubes are heated, they are partially cut and snapped apart.

The maker of can then move the glass into any kind of angle, shape or curve he/she sees wants. When the tubing is finished, the tube most be processed by a procedure called “bombarding” in the US. During this process, the tube is partially evacuated of air. Next, it is short circuited with a high voltage current until the it reaches a temperature of 550F. Then the tube is emptied again. Argon or neon is put in depending on the diameter of the tube and the tube is sealed. (An Argon-filled tubes requires an additional procedure involving the injection of mercury.)

Red is the color neon gas produces, however today there are about 150 colors possible for neon signs. The colors in order of discovery were blue, white, gold, then red. Each color is produced by a different element. The tubes glow because of the ultraviolet light from the mercury, which excites a phosphor coating on the inside of the tube, and that’s how neon signs work.