The Science of Neon Lights was the beginning of the Art of Neon Lights
Similar to photography, where scientists experimented with chemicals and sunlight, neon lighting began with scientists trying different types of lighting. In 1855, the Geissler tube was created, and was named after Heinrich Geissler. Geissler was both an physicist as well as a glassblower. These tubes were used to experiment with different gases and electricity. Scientists were trying to figure out what happens when electricity is applied to the gas in a Geisslertube.
The Discovery of Neon Gas
In the 1800s, neon lights were not invented because of one thing. M. W. Travers, William Ramsey and William Ramsey made the discovery in 1898. It is a rare gas that can be found in the atmosphere at a rate of 1 part per 65,000. Researchers needed to use liquefaction to extract neon. This process collects gases and then separates them in another process called fractional distillation.
It would be some time before the first real neon light was created. Georges Claude was first to experiment with neon in a Geissler tube. Claude was French and an engineer, inventor, and chemist. In 1902, Claude applied electricity to sealed neon gases. This was the first time that a neon light was created. He refined his design and put his first neon light up in Paris on December 11, 1910.
Neon Lighting is now an art
Claude’s initial light was not fancy, just like his first camera. To make these neon lights, it would take another couple of years to perfect the technology. Initially, neon lighting was made of red. Claude and others developed other colors to make it possible.
Claude began to market his neon lights. He sold the first neon sign in the world, which was a sign for a Paris barbershop, in 1912. In 1913, he sold the first neon sign in the world, which spelled “Cinzano”, in huge 3 1/2-foot letters.
Claude was certain that he had found something special, so he applied for a United States Patent in 1911. He also founded his own company, Claude Neon Lights, Inc., which was later sold to the United States. One of these lights is located at the Paris Opera House’s entrance.
Claude made his breakthrough in 1923. Earle C. Anthony, an auto dealer from Los Angeles, ordered two signs for his shop. Each sign was named “Packard”, after the cars he sold. It cost him approximately $24,000 and would have been worth more than $300,000.
The neon sign we now know as the “Neon Sign” was created. Georges Claude was a well-known name and neon signs became commonplace by the middle of the 1900s. Claude died in 1960. However, it wasn’t before the most well-known neon city, Las Vegas, had begun to put out its bright lights.
Neon Lighting and Photography
In many ways, the invention of neon lighting is similar to that of photography. Both art forms began as science experiments and went through many years of development before they were made commercially viable. The same way that photography developed the color image, neon lighting also went through a development phase. These lights started out as red, then blue, and then red again. Later, other gases were added into these tubes to make the beautiful colored lights we love today.
My favorite parallel is the fact that both art forms are solely based on light. The production of light in beautiful shapes and colors is neon lighting. Photography is the capture of light and the recording of these shapes and colors. It is possible that this is why it feels so natural for art to be created around these lights, as the two mediums complement one another so well.
If you have the opportunity, I recommend you visit the American Sign Museum to capture the stunning lights. You could also start your own photography project, if you don’t plan to be in Cincinnati soon. You might be able find interesting artwork if you know of any businesses using neon lights in your local area. You could also try other types of lighting, such as candles, chandeliers, or lamps, even if you don’t know where to find them in all their glory. Whatever you do, I hope you find inspiration from what I have shared today to make something extraordinary.
