Neon Signs

Neon is a chemical element that is very common throughout the universe, even though it is rare on earth. Neon is colorless and chemically stable since it contains the maximum number of valence electrons their outer shell can hold. Because neon is already a stable element, it rarely reacts with other elements. Other elements with this same feature of stability are known as noble gases and also include: helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, radon, and ununoctium (synthetic). It was in 1898 that a Scottish chemist named William Ramsay, along with his English counterpart Morris W. Travers, discovered the noble gases in London, England. After a sample of the atmosphere was chilled until it became a liquid, it was then warmed and the gases that boiled off were captured. Those gases were neon, krypton, and xenon. Then in the early 20th century (circa 1902) Georges Claude, a French engineer, chemist, and inventor, applied an electrical discharge to neon gas that was sealed in a tube; creating the first neon lamp. The neon lamp was then displayed to the public on December 11, 1910 in Paris, France. After that day the world of advertising with signs, or simply decorating a room in your house, would be changed forever.

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 .

Despite many uses for neon, such as vacuum tubes, lightning arrestors, wave meter tubes, television tubes, high-voltage indicators, and helium-neon lasers, it is best known for being the light behind neon signs. As mentioned earlier, it was on December 11, 1910 that Georges Claude demonstrated the neon lamp to the public for the first time. The first neon sign was a Barber Shop Neon Sign, sold in 1912 to a Parisian barber. On January 19, 1915 Georges Claude received U.S. Patent 1,125,476 for the neon lighting tube. By 1923, Claude Neon, Georges company introduced neon signs to America; selling two signs valued at $24,000 for both to a Packard car dealership in Los Angeles, California. Both signs simply said "Packard". Neon lighting and neon signs became a very popular form of advertising. Being visible both during day and night would cause people to stop and stare at the signs. Many consumers would visit many stores or other types of businesses that had a neon business sign just to view the sign. Many bars also began using neon beer signs to display some of their more pricey beers. They found that red glow of neon signs in the dimly lit pubs helped make up a drinkers mind as to what they wanted pretty quickly and easily. Another great use for the neon sign was the neon open sign. At night time when it was pitch black outside, many business owners found that a sea of black with the simple word "Open" glowing neon red was an excellent way to attract the eye. Las Vegas, Nevada adopted neon lights on a very massive scale. While many major us cities skylines are defined with a view of skyscrapers with the lights on, Las Vegas is known for having a skyline that is comprised of neon signs, neon sculptures, and even neon outlines around their buildings. Another city that has become associated with neon signs is Miami, Florida. Ocean Drive in Miami is known as the Art Deco capital of the world, and with its beautiful blue and pink and green neon skyline, it's hard to not see why it has that title. The only thing that is hard to believe is how something as simple as the concept of glowing letters, could make such an enormous impact on a business, but it really does.

Today there is a surge in people buying neon signs as decorations for their house. Whether it's a fan of particular brand of beer placing a neon beer sign inside of their rec room, or a fan of a certain make of automobile adorning their garage with automotive neon sign featuring that makes logo, neon signs are becoming one of the most sought after items today. There is also a big market of former college students purchasing college neon signs, featuring either the school's name or team mascot. They have their own special room decorated in their schools colors which they use to watch all of their teams games in. Custom neon signs are also rising in popularity, with people wanting a sign featuring their own little catch phrase, or an inside joke that friends can laugh at when they get together for a party. The possibilities of what to put on a custom neon sign is only limited by their imagination.

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.

When looking at all the options for signs that say the business is open, the options are endless. Pick a style, design, color, and shape and it is available on the market. Maybe the owner would like open sign to say that the business is open 24 hours. Adding a fish to the open sign gives potential customers idea that store specializes in fish. In today's economy it is necessary to set businesses apart from competitors. A distinctive open sign may accomplish this task. When selecting an open for business sign the process may not be easy; zoning restrictions, building owner restrictions, or maybe finding an ideal location that provides the necessary electrical support.

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.