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Neon Signs. Ms. Prinkey. History of Neon Signs. Theory of Neon Lights dates back to 1675. French astronomer Jean Picard* observed a faint glow in a mercury barometer tube. The glow occurred when the tube was shaken from the static electricity and was not understood at the time.
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Neon Signs Ms. Prinkey
History of Neon Signs • Theory of Neon Lights dates back to 1675. • French astronomer Jean Picard* observed a faint glow in a mercury barometer tube. • The glow occurred when the tube was shaken from the static electricity and was not understood at the time. • This was before electricity.
1855, HeinrichGeissler • Invented the Geissler tube. • Experiments were conducted using electricity and various gases. * When the tube was put under low pressure and electricity was applied, the gases would glow.
1898, London • The word neon comes from the Greek "neos," meaning "the new gas." • Neon is a rare gaseous element present in the atmosphere to the extent of 1 part in 65,000 of air. It is obtained by liquefaction of air and separated from the other gases by fractional distillation.
Georges Claude • The French engineer, chemist, and inventor Georges Claude (b. Sept. 24, 1870, d. May 23, 1960), was the first person to apply an electrical discharge to a sealed tube of neon gas (circa 1902) to create a lamp. Georges Claude displayed the first neon lamp to the public on December 11, 1910, in Paris
Neon Signs • Most neon signs are made by hand. The fragile glass tube is bent by hand and an inert gas is sealed in the air tight tube. • When electrified at a high voltage, the gas gives off a color. • Neon gas gives off an orange/red color. Argon gas gives off a blue color.
Neon Signs • Other colors are the result of tinting the glass or adding other chemicals to the inside. • A transformer is used to achieve the voltage necessary to make the gas light up.