The Interesting History of Neon Lights

If you have ever wondered about the history of neon lights (such as those made by Neon Mama), you are not alone. In fact, a book dedicated to the subject is called Flickering Light: A History of Neon. Published by Reaktion Books in 2013, the book explores the history of neon lights from its conception at the Paris Expo to its present-day uses. It is an absorbing read, and will surely have you thinking about the future of neon lights. It will also make you appreciate the art of neon lighting in a completely different way.

Claude’s Invention

The development of neon lighting in the United States can be traced back to Georges Claude, a French electrical engineer. In 1915, Claude received a patent for neon lighting tubes. This process involves sending an electrical charge through electrodes in a glass tube filled with rare gases. This gas glows, creating a striking red light. After Claude patented the invention, neon gas signs became ubiquitous, and the use of these signs began to increase.

The process Claude used to create the neon light was a product of his experiments. He had hoped to make noble gaseous discoveries in his experiments, but he quickly realized that there was nothing more to be done. His liquefaction process required a minimum of electricity and was more affordable than the other methods. Ultimately, a group of investors formed the joint-stock company Air Liquide, which has grown to $20 billion in revenue. Today, it is the second-largest supplier of industrial gases in the world after the Linde Group.

Although Claude’s initial focus was on the industrial liquefaction of air to make liquid nitrogen, oxygen, and argon, he eventually moved to develop a process for producing neon. Claude also developed a method for purifying neon gas, allowing it to be used in commercial neon lights. He eventually filed a patent for his process in 1915 and later obtained a U.S. patent.

Moore Tubes

The history of Moore Tubes began when Georges Claude, the owner of Air Liquide, first thought of using neon in his tube lamps. The gas’s orange glow wasn’t good for general illumination, but it was perfect for electric signs. Fortunately, he wasn’t the only one. Other inventors, including Nikola Tesla, also thought of using neon, but he ultimately decided to go with the gas’s green glow instead.

Henry Moore died in his home at age 88. He had suffered from arthritis and diabetes and ultimately passed away. However, the legacy of Moore Tubes lives on in the Moore foundation, which seeks to inspire young people to achieve success in their chosen fields. He passed away in 1986, but his legacy continues through his children. Despite his illness, Moore’s legacy lives on in the people who have used his tubes for decades.

In 1947, Dr. Moore offered to let the LAS use his house to make the mirrors. He worked alone for the first three years. He was assisted by Lewis Aker, who applied silvering to the Schmutz castings. The Murphy Elevator Company cut the gear teeth on the Schmutz castings. The Schaumburg boiler company donated the straight pipes for the telescope tube. Throughout the 1940s, the Moore School became a leading location for scientific research and development.

The Resurgence of Neon

Neon, a technology that grew out of the 1950s and was best known for illuminating the Las Vegas Strip, is making a comeback. While the current US economy may be one of the healthiest in decades, the stock market continues to set records and new business owners see the revival as a sign of hope for their future. Its nostalgic glow evokes an instant feeling of classic Americana.

While modern LEDs have become increasingly popular, the appeal of neon can’t be denied. Neon gives off a soft, inviting glow that radiates evenly along the entire length of the tube. This characteristic makes neon appealing for shop fronts, displays on walls, and even roadways. While LEDs have many benefits, they simply don’t have the inviting radiance that neon has. For this reason, the resurgence of neon is only expected to continue.

As a result, neon is making a comeback, and it’s good news for the industry. It used to be that the entire world was illuminated by neon. However, the onset of LED technology disgruntled the industry. But thanks to a slow resurgence, the industry is returning to the business fronts. Neon businesses are once again making headlines and are getting busier as more people discover the benefits of this technology.