Intro to Neon Signs
The Birth of Neon
How neon gas came to be.
Neon has three stable isotopes (non-radioactive chemical isotopes) : 20Ne (90.48%), 21Ne (0.27%) and 22Ne (9.25%). These isotopes have the same chemical characteristics, making them behave almost identically. There is a difference in the numbers of neutrons, causing the mass difference, resulting in the partial separation of the lighter isotopes from the heavier ones during a chemical reaction. This separation is known as isotope fractionation. Neon is also the second lightest noble gas, after Helium, which is why it is so rare on Earth. The relative lightness, along with its chemical inertness, keeps neon from being trapped in the condensing gas and dust clouds. However neon is the fifth most abundant chemical element in the universe by mass.
The construction of neon signs is not as complex as a person might think however all the steps must be followed properly. The first step to making a neon sign is to shape the glass tubes. This is done by heating the glass to make it soft and pliable. Several kinds of glass are used, but that all depends on the supplier and the country. Depending on what composition of glass is being worked with, the working range of glass is from 1600' F to over 2200'F. The temperature of the air-gas flame depends on the fuel and ratio. The tubes are partially cut while cold with a file and then snapped apart when they are hot. Then the glass is bent and shaped into the desired design. After the shaping, the tube must be processed. The tube is partially evacuated of air. A high voltage current is used to short circuit the tube until it reaches a temperature of 550 F. Then the tube is then evacuated again until a vacuum of 10-3 torr is achieved. The gas is then back filled to a specific pressure depending on the tube's diameter and then sealed off. This is how neon signs are created .
The Public Meets Neon
And what a meeting it was.
A New Form of Advertising
Neon really lights up the world of advertising
Advertising has seen many forms: television commercials, radio commercials, magazine ads, billboards, newspaper ads, etc. But television and radio commercials play for a short time and then stop airing. Same goes for magazine and newspaper ads; they will run with a few weekly or monthly editions, and then just disappear. Billboards stay around until the owner runs out of his lease or the cost of maintenance is too expensive to even be worth the trouble. Neon signs however have always remained popular, and it seems as though they always will. Whether it's a neon business sign letting the customer know that this the right place to stop in and get a drink, or open signs letting the customer that they are still open for business, neon signs will always remain a vital part in the world of advertising. And besides if a business does decide to move, the owner can simply pack up the sign and take it with them.
All you need to know about neon and neon signs.
Can be found at Amazon
Vintage Neon (Schiffer Reference Book)
During the middle of the 20th century, neon signs turned North America's roadside into a luminous wonderland. The most compelling signs were figural: imaginative, cartoon drawings in light. These unforgettable depictions of exploding bowling pins, crashing cars, baton twirling majorettes, and lassoing cowboys were the fodder for legend and lore. Neon designer Len Davidson has captured the magic with over 350 photos of superb vintage signs. He has drawn on renowned photographers, museums, and private collections, as well as his own Neon Museum of Philadelphia pieces to compile the definitive photo archive. Davidson has also expressed the legend in words. The pages echo with the voices of sign makers and shopkeepers, photographers and preservationists. Architects and sign artisans will find this collection invaluable. It is also an essential volume for anyone who has been captured by the spell of the highway and neon's siren song.
The New Let There Be Neon
This is the only book in which neon is studied both as a handcraft and artistic medium with its own expressive potential. The only comprehensive visual history of 100 years of neon, this will delight anyone interested in the contemporary arts. First published as Let There Be Neon, this is a revised edition (including an additional chapter).
Neon ABC: Book 2 Script Capitals and Lower Case
This book presents drawings and working patterns for script capitals and lowercase neon letters. It shows the various bends, double-backs and blockouts required for each letter.
The Light Artist Anthology: Neon and Related Media
Artist Christian Schiess interviewed 15 fellow artists from America and Europe, who work in the medium of light. This involves neon and related media. This compilation, originally published in the early 1990s in Signs of the Times magazine, provides both the text and full-color photos that reveal not only the artists' works, but their thought processes and goals as well.
Neon Signs in Action
Look at that glow
Here are some photographs of different neon signs and neon lights.
Neon Open Signs
Show 'em your're open for business with style.
Open neon signs have a multitude of uses with traditional businesses. Open neon signs can be found outside a college stores, lounge, cafe, bakery, photo store, pizzeria, check cashing office, dentist office, and more. When out shopping or traveling take a look around at all the styles and colors. Most people rarely focus on open signs unless they are walking up to the door of a business that is open or closed. Which brings us to a point; many businesses lose sales when a potential customer that has to get out and check the little sign on the door to see if the store is open. Guess what, not likely because people are in a hurry today. An open neon sign immediately tells them come in the store is open or closed.
The key is that the more creative and colorful an open sign is the more likely a customer is to open the door and come inside. This in turn will lead to sales. Now the open sign becomes a tool for selling rather than something that is a necessary object to tell people the business is open. Creativity in the sign's design sends a message to potential customers that this store or establishment has style. Adding a steamy cup of coffee to the open sign says that coffee is always ready. Adding a flower to the open sign says that the florist has creative ability rather than just sticking a bunch of flowers together.
A new open sign can be obtained from local sign makers or check out the Internet for all the businesses that sell open neon signs for bargains. A simple search will produce more options than needed and limiting to two or three options will save time. Regardless of how new signs are obtained, the key is select those that are priced right and sets the tone a business wants to establish. Besides new open signs there are used ones for sale. Check local classifieds and businesses that are closing.
There is a large market by collectors for vintage open neon signs and there are many online businesses that sell these vintage signs to collectors or interested individuals. There is a lot of money to be made in selling collectable signs. All that is needed is a website and signs to sell. A search of the internet will produce many online businesses that buy, sell, and trade collectable neon open signs. Whether vintage, used, or creative open neon signs are used; these signs instantly announce the business is open and ready to serve customers.
Is Neon Really That Important.
Many businesses like to use neon business signs to advertise the type of business they are, neon open signs to advertise that they are open. But does having a neon sign really matter that much?
Neon Sign Videos
Look at all the signs
Blogs about Neon
See what other people say about neon signs
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- Take out Tokyo Bigs style. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot ? PlayStation 3 | The Bigs 2 ? Batter Hates Neon Signs Gameplay Movie ? was posted by sampsona on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:48:27 -0700 ...
- Neon light: Custom Neon Signs Can Be Given As Gifts Custom Noen ...
- Neon light: Custom Neon Signs Can Be Given As Gifts | We offer Neon Sign, Neon clocks, Bar Sign, Beer Signs and Neon Lights!
Guestbook
A place for guests to sign and leave a comment about my lens or just anything they want to say about neon signs in general.
Bruce_Beerdrinker wrote...
Interesting lens. I love neon lights. If I won the lottery I would have a room made of nothing but neon. ha ha


































