What are Neon Signs?
Before the first commercial neon lights became available in 1910, sign owners were limited to the indirect illumination of floodlights or ‘chaser’ incandescent bulbs placed around their sign’s perimeter. Once it became possible to created letters and symbols from sealed glass tubes, neon signs became the newest and shiniest part of the outdoor advertising landscape. The first neon signs in the United States formed the word ‘Packard’ at a car dealership in California. The novelty of neon tubes probably attracted more visitors to the lot than the product itself and quickly proved their usefulness. Potential customers could easily spot these promotional signs, even from distant roadways or in total darkness.
