Nowadays, they are rather rare to see – yet a century ago, neon tubes were the epitome of outdoor advertising. Discovering one today inevitably evokes memories of the “olden days.” Commonly referred to as neon tubes, this only tells half the story of these time-honoured mood setters.
The History of the Mood Setters The first tubes were developed around 1909 by the French physicist Georges Claude. He received a U.S. patent for his invention in 1915. However, the first commercial neon tube had already illuminated Paris in flaming red with the words “palais coiffeur” three years earlier. His invention literally brought European and American cities to light: in the 1920s and 1930s, cities like Paris, New York City, or Las Vegas shone in atmospheric colours. Over the years, however, the reputation of the tubes changed, and after the end of World War II, they were cast in a different light. Backlit glass surfaces were used for light advertisements, and neon tubes increasingly became symbols of seedy areas, such as motels, bars, and other dives. Yet, it is precisely these dual characteristics that contribute to the charm of the neon tube.
How Do Neon Tubes Actually Work? Neon lamps always consist of hollow glass tubes filled with gas. The type of gas can vary, but more on that later. The contained gas is electrified, causing it to ionise. Ionisation occurs when electrons and ions are separated, discharging the gas. This discharge is clearly visible – the neon tube begins to glow. However, the term is somewhat misleading, as the gas used within the tubes determines the colour. Neon always produces an orange-red. But, the physical colour spectrum is naturally more diverse than just orange-red. The following gases yield different results: Krypton makes the tube glow white. Argon produces pink, while argon with mercury results in a strong blue. Alternatively, blue can also be generated with xenon. Helium creates a white-pink, while even nitrogen (yellow-pink) and carbon dioxide (bluish-white) can produce functional results. However, not only the gas used plays a role, but also the colour of the tube. Mixing neon with mercury in a green-yellow tube results in green. Using helium in a yellow tube creates a bright yellow. With various combinations, the colour spectrum can be satisfactorily covered.
Applications of Neon Tubes Today, alternative methods for light advertisements are preferred, such as various combinations of LED lamps and transparent materials like acrylic glass. But traditionally, neon tubes fulfilled this role. Signage was formed by appropriately bent tubes, which were painted black between the letters. Even if they are no longer used for outdoor advertising today, neon tubes and the style of olden times are coming back into fashion. Greiner Advertising Technology started the business of making neon tubes in 1953 and continues to do so today – albeit on a smaller scale. But if you are interested in an advertising medium from times gone by, please feel free to contact us. We take it as our mission to plan and implement individual customer requests as best as possible. We look forward to hearing from you!