Neon Lighting:
History, Technology and Applications

Neon is a chemical element with atomic number 10, belonging to the noble gases group of the periodic table. This colorless, odorless gas exhibits a characteristic red-orange glow when an electric current is passed through it. The name comes from the Greek word neos, meaning "new."

Despite its relative rarity in the Earth’s atmosphere, where it makes up only about 0.0018%, neon is the fifth most abundant element in the universe. Its unique physical properties and ability to emit a bright red-orange light when electrically discharged have made it indispensable in the production of illuminated signs, which have become a cultural phenomenon of the 20th century.

Physical and chemical properties

Neon is a colorless, odorless, monatomic gas that exhibits high chemical inertness due to its stable electron configuration. Its physical characteristics include:

• Melting point: 24.56 K (-248.59 °C)
• Boiling point: 27.104 K (-246.046 °C)
• Density: 0.9002 g/l in gaseous state
• Atomic mass: 20.18 g/mol
• Solid structure: face-centered cubic
• Heat of fusion: 0.3317 kJ/mol
• Heat of vaporization: 1.7326 kJ/mol

The critical point of neon is at 44.4918 K and 2.7686 MPa, and the triple point is at 24.556 K and 43.37 kPa. Due to its properties, neon has a cooling capacity approximately 40 times greater than that of liquid helium and 3 times greater than that of liquid hydrogen per unit volume.

The exceptional chemical inertness of neon is explained by its filled outer electron shell (electron configuration [He] 2s² 2p⁶), which makes it extremely resistant to chemical reactions. Unlike other noble gases, neon practically does not form chemical compounds even under extreme conditions.

History of discovery

The history of neon began in the late 19th century as part of research into noble gases. In 1898, Scottish chemist Sir William Ramsay and English chemist Morris Travers discovered neon while experimenting with liquefied air. After separating nitrogen, oxygen, and argon from the air, the scientists continued to study the remaining gases. Krypton was the first to be identified, and the next was a gas that produces a bright red glow during a spectroscopic discharge.

The gas, identified in June 1898, was named " neon " - the Greek equivalent of the Latin novum (new), suggested by Ramsay’s son. Morris Travers later wrote of the first observation of neon glow: "The glow of crimson light from the tube spoke for itself, and was a sight to behold and never to be forgotten."

Ramsay and Travers also reported a second gas found along with neon, with about the same density as argon but a different spectrum. They called it " metargon ". However, subsequent spectroscopic analysis showed that it was argon contaminated with carbon monoxide. In September 1898, the same team discovered xenon using a similar technique.

For his discoveries of rare atmospheric gases, including neon, argon, helium, krypton and xenon, William Ramsay received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1904.

Development of neon lighting technology

The rarity of neon initially prevented its rapid adoption for lighting using the Moore tube principle, which used nitrogen and was commercialized in the early 1900s. After 1902, Georges Claude’s Air Liquide began producing industrial quantities of neon as a byproduct of its air liquefaction business.

In December 1910, Claude demonstrated modern neon lighting based on a sealed tube of neon at the Paris Motor Show. Two 12-meter-long, bright red neon tubes attracted widespread attention. Claude attempted to sell neon tubes for indoor home lighting based on their intensity, but the market did not embrace the idea because homeowners objected to the color red.

In 1912, Claude’s partner began selling neon discharge tubes as eye-catching advertising signs and immediately achieved greater success. The first commercial neon sign, "PALAIS COIFFEUR", was made for a hairdressing salon on Boulevard Montmartre in Paris.

Neon signs were introduced to the United States in 1923, when Earl C. Anthony purchased two large neon signs reading “Packard” for his Los Angeles car dealership. The bright color and striking red hue made neon advertising stand out from its competitors. The intense color and brightness of neon suited the American society of the time, symbolizing the “age of progress” and transforming cities into sensational new environments filled with radiant advertising and “electrographic architecture.”

Types of neon technologies

Traditional glass neon tubes

Glass neon lamps are a lighting system made of glass tubes filled with neon gas in various forms. When an electric current passes through the gas, it produces bright light in various colors.

One of the most distinctive features of glass neon signs is their bright and unique colors. Different gases emit different bright lights when excited by an electric current. Moreover, different gases can be mixed with each other to produce different colors.

Glass neon tubes are handcrafted by skilled glassblowers. They can be blown into an infinite number of shapes, making it possible to create unique and eye-catching designs. Neon tubes typically range in diameter from 10mm to 20mm.

Neon produces red while argon produces blue. By mixing argon/neon gases with phosphorus, up to 40 different colors and over 12 different shades of white can be created. Colored (filter) glass is also used to saturate or change the color. The tube is the color of the filter glass (blue, green, red, orange, and yellow) when not lit.

LED neon flex

LED neon flex is a modern alternative to traditional glass neon signs. It is a modern lighting technology that mimics the look of traditional neon lights. Its light source is LED strips wrapped in a flexible plastic tube. It is soft and pliable, while providing contour beauty.

LED neon flex operates on low voltage (DC24V and DC12V), which significantly reduces the risk of electric shock. There are no safety hazards when transported and installed correctly.

Unlike fragile glass neon tubes, LED neon flex is made of flexible silicone hose that is resistant to UV rays, heat and other environmental factors. This makes it more durable and long-lasting, especially in demand in humid climates, for example, such neon is used in St. Petersburg .

LUMINEX LED

LUMINEX LED is a high-tech form of LED neon designed for businesses that prioritize brightness, color accuracy, and visual impact. Unlike traditional neon signs or standard LED products, LUMINEX uses high-quality materials such as 100% pure extruded silicone tubes and the Sanan 2835 LED chipset to produce a brighter, more energy-efficient, and longer-lasting sign.

This technology is primarily intended for commercial indoor use where LUMINEX offers flexibility and durability, but truly excels in prestigious applications where brightness and color consistency are critical. The silicone tubes can withstand extreme temperatures from -50°C to 150°C, making them durable but best suited for indoor use.

SPLICE LED

SPLICE LED is a neon lighting technology designed for both indoor and outdoor applications, providing exceptional durability at an economical price. It features a multi-layer manufacturing process that combines the Sanan 2835 LED chipset with IP67 rated LED strips (ideal for outdoor use) embedded in a CNC machined acrylic backplate and sealed with waterproof adhesive and silicone tubing.

This construction provides superior weather resistance and makes SPLICE an ideal choice for outdoor signage applications as well as budget-conscious buyers looking for a durable, elegant solution for a variety of environments.

Comparison of Neon Lighting Technologies

Glass Neon Tubes and LED Neon Flex

Traditional glass neon signs and modern LED neon flex have different characteristics, advantages and disadvantages that affect their application and popularity.

Glass neon tubes are highly luminous and feature rich colors, creating bold and eye-catching displays. They are available in a variety of colors, from standard shades of blue, red, and green to more unusual colors such as pink, purple, and yellow. All of these colors depend on the gas used in the tube.

However, glass neon tubes are very fragile and can easily break if hit by hard objects during installation and maintenance. They also contain gas in their housing and require a high-voltage electrical connection to produce neon light, which can cause electrical hazards such as electric shock or short circuits.

Glass neon is not energy efficient and uses more energy than LED neon. It also generates a lot of heat during operation, which can cause the ambient temperature to rise.

Glass neon tubes are difficult to install due to their weight, which can present challenges during transportation and installation. In addition, glass neon tubes require more careful manufacturing and transportation, more labor and raw materials, resulting in higher production costs.

LED neon flex, on the other hand, is popular for its durability and long service life. It is made of flexible silicone tubes, resistant to UV rays, heat and other environmental factors. Compared with glass neon tubes, there is no need to worry about problems during transportation and installation, unless there is a strong impact, it will not be damaged.

LED neon flex operates on low voltage (DC24V and DC12V), which significantly reduces the risk of electric shock. There are no safety hazards when transported and installed correctly.

Its flexibility is also a great advantage, allowing you to create complex and creative designs that would be difficult or impossible with traditional glass neon tubes.

The comparison table highlights the following key differences:

LUMINEX and SPLICE LED technologies

LUMINEX LED neon technology is the premium choice for commercial indoor applications that require maximum brightness, vibrant colors and aesthetic precision. Utilizing the Sanan 2835 LED chipset provides superior light output and energy efficiency, while flexible silicone tubes make it ideal for complex, custom designs.

SPLICE LED neon technology is the ideal choice for signs that must withstand harsh outdoor conditions. Its CNC machined acrylic backing, waterproof adhesive and silicone coating provide unmatched durability for outdoor signs, ensuring protection from rain, UV rays and temperature fluctuations.

Applications of neon

Neon signs

Neon signs became a cultural phenomenon and an important part of the urban landscape in the 20th century. They are widely used in advertising to attract attention to businesses, especially at night.

Traditional glass neon signs create a retro feel and add a touch of nostalgia to a space. They are especially popular in bars, restaurants, and businesses with a retro theme.

LED neon signs, on the other hand, are often used in modern retail, event and outdoor signage due to their flexibility, durability and energy efficiency.

Neon signs became especially popular in the United States from the 1920s to the 1950s. The installations in Times Square, many of which were originally designed by Douglas Lee, were famous, and by 1940 there were almost 2,000 small shops producing neon signs.

Cryogenic technology

Liquid neon is used as a cryogenic refrigerant on a commercial scale. Its cooling capacity is approximately 40 times that of liquid helium and 3 times that of liquid hydrogen on a per unit volume basis. This makes it an effective refrigerant for applications requiring very low temperatures.

Scientific instruments

Neon is used in high-voltage indicators, vacuum tubes, lightning rods, television tubes, measuring tubes, and helium-neon lasers. Its unique properties make it useful in these specialized scientific and technical applications.

Art and Design

In addition to advertising signs, neon lighting is often used by artists and architects to create art installations and architectural elements. Its bright, saturated color and ability to take on various shapes make it a popular choice for art projects.

Technical aspects of neon lighting

Operating principle

Neon lamps work on the principle of gas discharge. When an electric current passes through a tube filled with neon or another inert gas under low pressure, the electrons excite the gas atoms, causing them to emit light of a specific wavelength characteristic of that gas.

Neon emits a characteristic red-orange light, while other gases emit other colors. For example, argon emits blue light. By mixing different gases and adding phosphorus coatings inside the tubes, a wide range of colors can be achieved.

Production of neon tubes

The process of making traditional glass neon tubes requires considerable skill. Glassblowers heat glass tubes and bend them by hand into the desired shapes, often using templates as a guide. Once the tubes have cooled, they are evacuated of air and filled with neon or other gases at low pressure. Electrodes are then installed at the ends of the tubes to supply an electrical current.

LED neon flex is made differently. It consists of LED strips enclosed in flexible silicone or PVC tubes. The LEDs are evenly distributed inside the tube, and the outer material acts as a diffuser, creating a uniform glow reminiscent of traditional neon.

Electrical characteristics

Traditional neon signs operate at high voltage (usually hundreds to thousands of volts), which creates safety risks and requires special transformers and insulation.

LED neon flex, on the other hand, operates on low voltage (usually 12V or 24V DC), making it much safer to install and operate.

Color spectrum

Pure neon emits a characteristic red-orange light, but different techniques can be used to create other colors:

• Using different gases: argon produces blue light, helium produces bluish-white light, krypton produces white with a violet tint
• Mixing gases to produce intermediate colors
• The use of colored glass that filters and changes the color of the emitted light
• Application of phosphorus coatings inside tubes that convert ultraviolet radiation from a gas discharge into visible light of various colors

Using these methods, it is possible to create up to 40 different colors and more than 12 different shades of white.

Advantages of Neon Lighting

Environmental aspects

Neon lighting has a number of environmentally friendly properties, such as high recyclability, long lifespan, and low energy consumption during production. It can be recycled up to 95%, which helps reduce waste and conserve natural resources. In addition, neon lamps have an exceptionally long lifespan, requiring less frequent replacement than other light sources.

Despite being handcrafted, neon lighting requires relatively little energy to produce compared to other lighting technologies. This contributes to a smaller environmental impact and makes neon lighting an energy-efficient choice.

Durability and maintenance

Neon signs and neon art require only regular inspection, cleaning, and low-cost maintenance. Annual inspection is not necessary. When properly cared for, glass neon tubes can have a long lifespan and withstand repeated exposure without losing brightness, making them a long-lasting lighting option.

LED neon flex is even more durable and requires minimal maintenance due to the absence of fragile components and the use of long-lasting LEDs.

Energy efficiency

Neon lighting uses relatively little energy and emits light in 360 degrees. For the same lumen output, a neon sign requires less power than an equivalent LED sign.

However, LED neon flex is generally more energy efficient than traditional neon, as LEDs use less energy to produce the same amount of light.

Design flexibility

Glass tubes can be blown into an infinite number of shapes. It is possible, for example, to accurately recreate handwriting or font in neon. This design flexibility makes neon a popular choice for custom signage and art installations.

LED neon flex is even more flexible and can be easily bent and shaped to create complex designs without the risk of breakage.

The Cultural Significance of Neon

Neon signs became a cultural symbol of 20th-century urban life, particularly in the United States from the 1920s to the 1950s. They transformed city nightscapes by adding vibrant colors and dynamic lighting that became associated with modernism and progress.

Throughout history, neon signs have been associated with different aspects of culture:

• In the 1920s and 1930s, they symbolized innovation and progress.
• In the post-war years, they became a symbol of economic prosperity and consumer culture.
• In later periods, some neon signs became associated with nightlife, bars and entertainment.
• Today, vintage neon signs often evoke nostalgia for past eras and have become objects of collection and preservation.

Many cities now have neon sign museums and initiatives to preserve historic neon signs as part of their cultural heritage.

Prospects for the development of neon technologies

While traditional glass neon signs continue to appeal with their classic aesthetics and vibrant glow, the LED neon industry is rapidly evolving, offering new features and benefits.

Modern LED neon technologies such as LUMINEX and SPLICE represent the next generation of neon lighting, combining the aesthetics of traditional neon with the energy efficiency, safety and flexibility of modern LEDs.

Future developments will likely focus on further improving energy efficiency, expanding the color spectrum, and integrating with digital technologies to create interactive neon displays. New materials may also emerge that will further improve the durability and sustainability of neon signs.

Neon has come a long way from a scientific discovery to a cultural phenomenon that has transformed urban landscapes and the advertising industry. Despite the advent of new lighting technologies, neon retains its unique charm and continues to find use in advertising, art, design, and scientific applications.