Shining a Light on the History and Popularity of Neon Signs
Neon signs are a fascinating aspect of urban exploration. They light up the night sky and can be found on buildings, storefronts, and billboards throughout cities around the world. These iconic signs have been around for over 100 years, and their popularity has never waned.
To learn more about neon signs, we talked to Mike Marcus, owner of Neon Works in Los Angeles. His shop has been creating custom neon signs for businesses and individuals since 1987.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about the history of neon signs?
A: Sure! Neon was discovered by a French chemist named Georges Claude in 1910. He noticed that when an electric current was passed through a gas-filled tube, it would produce a bright glow. He patented his discovery in 1915 and began selling neon lights commercially.
The first commercial use of neon lights was at the Paris Motor Show in 1910, where they were used to illuminate car logos and advertisements. Soon after that, they started showing up on storefronts all over Europe and North America.
Q: What makes neon signs so popular?
A: I think it’s because they’re so eye-catching. They have this unique ability to draw people’s attention from far away. Plus, there’s something nostalgic about them – they remind people of simpler times when everything wasn’t digital.
Q: How do you create a custom neon sign?
A: It starts with a design – either one that we come up with or one that the client provides us with. Then we create a pattern out of metal tubing based on that design. We bend the tubing into shape using heat and special tools.
Once we’ve got all the pieces bent into place, we connect them together using electrodes and fill the tubes with gas (usually argon or helium). Finally, we attach electrical wires to each end of the tube so that it can be plugged into an outlet.
Q: Are there any challenges to working with neon?
A: Definitely. For one thing, it’s a very delicate material. The tubing can easily be damaged or broken if mishandled. Also, it requires a lot of skill and expertise to bend the tubes into the correct shapes.
Q: What are some common uses for neon signs today?
A: They’re still used a lot by businesses – especially bars, restaurants, and nightclubs – as well as by individuals who want to add some personality to their home decor. We’ve also created custom signs for weddings, birthdays, and other special events.
Q: Do you have any favorite neon signs that you’ve worked on?
A: Oh man, there are so many! One of my favorites was a sign we did for a restaurant called Cafe Gratitude here in LA. It was this beautiful script design that spelled out “I Am Open.” Another one that comes to mind is an art installation we did for Coachella back in 2014 – it was this huge rainbow arch made entirely out of neon tubing.
Q: How do you maintain and repair neon signs?
A: Neon signs don’t require much maintenance – they’re pretty low-maintenance overall. However, if something does break (like a tube gets cracked or a wire comes loose), it can usually be repaired pretty easily by someone with experience working with neon.
Q: Any tips for people who want to start collecting or photographing neon signs?
A: My advice would be to just keep your eyes open! You never know where you’ll find an interesting sign – they could be anywhere from small mom-and-pop shops to giant billboards along the highway.
When photographing them, try experimenting with different angles and lighting conditions. Some of my favorite photos of our own work have been taken at night when everything is lit up.
In conclusion, neon signs have stood the test of time as iconic symbols of urban culture and creativity. From their humble beginnings in Paris to the present day, they continue to capture our attention and imagination. With a little curiosity and exploration, you can discover the beauty of neon signs for yourself.