Facts About Neon Signs
We see so many neon open signs around. These open signs help us right away to determine whether a store, a food business or a service shop is open or not. Without these open signs, customers can be left wondering as to the availability of these businesses. It can be a complete hassle if they have to stop only to find that the establishment is closed for the day. When the neon open signs are switched on, it’s a sure thing that the business is ready to accommodate their needs. The use of neon signs are really of great help to both business owners and consumers. But how did these signs came about?
Neon signs have been around for quite some time. They were first conceived in early 1900s by Georges Claude wherein he applied an electrical discharge to a sealed tube of neon gas. It was shown to the public in December 1910 at a Paris Expo. Under his French company Claude Neon, Georges Claude brought these signs to the U.S. when he sold two units to a Packard car dealership. Since then, the display became a craze and was a popular advertising unit up to this day.
The neon signage is filled with noble gases. The typical gas it uses is neon, hence, the name itself. These days, however, other gases such as argon, xenon, krypton and helium are used.
Initially, there are two colors available. Neon when touched by electrical current bursts into a red light; argon produces blue light. But with advancements in technology, its borosilicate tube is lined with phosphor to produce more striking and vibrant colors you can imagine.
