Real Neon Signs: A Pop Culture Classic
Since their inception in the 1920s, real neon signs have become an iconic feature of urban landscaping. They are easily recognisable for their vibrant glow which has come to symbolise everything from retro diners and vintage motels to the incandescent glow of Las Vegas and Times Square. Whether you find yourself sipping on a cocktail in a trendy nightclub or watching your favourite football team ignite the leaderboard, neon lights are a visually striking way to convey a sense of excitement, energy and creativity.
And yet, you may find yourself wondering how neon lights are made in the first place, and moreover, what distinguishes real neon signs from LED ‘neon’ signs? In this article we will explore these questions as well as why they have retained their global popularity and relevance in contemporary pop culture.
The Magic Behind The Iconic Neon Glow
Thanks to the wonder of science, the signature red hue of neon lights has become a recognisable trope in pop and urban street culture. Creating real neon signs, however, is an intricate and delicate operation that requires the highest level of craftsmanship and professional expertise.
The first step is to bend the glass tube into a desired shape, for example: letters, logos, or more abstract designs. The tube is heated to a temperature where it can be carefully manipulated into the chosen shape by hand. Once the desired shape is attained, the glass is filled with neon or argon gas, which is then ionized by applying a high voltage. This is how neon lights are able to produce their iconic glow.
To put it simply, real neon signs are created by bending glass and filling it with a natural inert gas. In turn, the electrical current shot through the glass tube ionizes the gas and voila – you have your signature neon lighting!
The key difference between real neon signs and their LED (light-emitting diode) counterparts is that real neon signs are uniquely hand-crafted and rely on actual glass tubes as their core material. Another factor that sets real neon signs apart from LEDs is that real neon signs use neon gas to get that characteristic red hue, and argon gas – when mixed with mercury – is used to produce blue and green light.
Typical LED neon lights are made from acrylic tubes or flexible strips and – you guessed it – LED lights to imitate the appearance of true neon. You can also easily discern a real neon light from an LED by the telltale warmth of the real neon light, which is not easily replicable with an LED alternative. The unique, handcrafted construction of real neon lights offers an authentic experience which is often favoured for its nostalgic and artistic qualities in the world of signage and urban décor.
Carousel Lights: Specialising In Real Neon Signs
Central to Carousel Lights’ service is the drive to provide high-quality, custom-made neon signs that are designed to last. While LED-based neon alternatives are often favoured by consumers for their energy efficiency and easy manufacturing potential, real neon signs rely on techniques rooted in tradition and are aimed at combining skilled artistry with modern technology.
Our specialisation extends not only to vintage-style neon signage, but also custom designed pieces which are tailored to your specifications. When designing your real neon sign, our team will work closely with you to ensure that your custom piece accurately reflects your vision, brand and aesthetic. In addition, we also offer a maintenance service so that your neon sign can continue to look as shiny and new as it did on the day of installation.
Why Choose Carousel Lights For Your Real Neon Signs?
As a multi-award-winning company with a trophy cabinet that includes several prominent business awards, Carousel Lights truly understands the value of a real neon sign. As it stands, there are not many people who have the competency to create real neon signs as the art of glass-bending takes several years of training. In fact, it is such a rare skill that the art of making neon signs has officially been classified as “endangered” by the Association of Heritage Crafts.
Having designed and manufactured real glass neon signs for some of the World’s most well-known brands such as Coca Cola, Netflix, Nike and Warner Bros, celebrity clients like Dua Lipa, and TV corporations like the BBC, MTV and Disney, we are confident that our expertise in this field will animate and execute your design vision. Regardless of what you are seeking, be it a quirky or personal touch to your home, a standout feature for your business, or if you are just looking to invest in an iconic piece of art, we are here to assist you.
This is thanks to our expert craftsmen who specialise in the preservation of traditional techniques to ensure the authentic creation of your design:
The straight sections of glass are bent into whichever shape you request. Electrodes are then fitted to the end of each glass segment using a vacuum mechanism. Neon or argon gas is pumped into each tube creating the iconic red, green, or blue hue. Finally, the sections of the glass structure are mounted onto a wall or substrate where it is connected to a transformer which ignites the light. To see an example of exactly how this entire process works, watch this video illustrating how we created this POW! neon sign.
If you are looking for design inspiration we do also offer a wide range of pre-made designs in various styles from classic vintage and retro designs to more modern pieces, all of which are entirely customisable to fit your desired aesthetic.
Where Did Real Neon Signs Come From?
Neon lights as a form of signage finds its origins in the early 20th century when French engineer Georges Claude came upon neon gas’s unique ability to glow when electrified. In 1910, Claude wowed spectators with the unveiling of the first neon sign at the Paris Motor Show, irrevocably changing the face of the lighting industry. The popularity of neon rapidly gained traction as it became highly sought after, especially for advertising and artistic decor. Soon enough, businesses began incorporating neon into their signage on a global scale.
Entering into the late 1920s and 1930s, neon signs became largely associated with urban landscapes where they became a signature characteristic of iconic cities like New York and Los Angeles. This led to neon lights rapidly becoming a prominent feature in popular culture. From theatres and shops to diners and motels, neon light signage rapidly became a key identifier of consumerist culture and modernity in the 20th century.
By the mid-20th century, neon lights became entrenched in mainstream pop culture, appearing in cult classic films like Pulp Fiction and utilised by large corporations like McDonalds and Coca Cola, who adopted neon signs for their iconic branding. In the modern age, neon remains an enduring symbol for pop culture. While LED neon has come to dominate the market, there is still a high demand for the warm, authentic glow iconised by real neon signs which is often preferred by collectors, designers and art lovers all over the world.
Real Neon Signs In The Digital Era
In a world continuously propelled into the digital age, real neon signs are more popular than ever for their modern and nostalgic aesthetic which blends heritage and craftmanship with modern innovation. These real neon signs have become increasingly popular for marketing and social media purposes as their eye-catching visual appeal is highly effective for advertising.
The authentic glow of neon lights works perfectly for the adornment of backdrops in restaurants, retail environments, bars, and event spaces. These lights enliven online content, making it particularly effective for garnering audience engagement in an era monopolised by social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
Whether you’re a social media marketer or looking to capture some attention with an authentic, customised neon sign, we can create an illustrious range of neon signs to suit your needs. From bold brand logos to avant garde designs, our creations help you to generate the content you need for optimal audience engagement.
By seamlessly bridging the gap between the online and offline world, these signs offer tactile, handcrafted designs which are as illuminating on social media platforms as they are in the real world. Our timeless and contemporary designs are proof that traditional craftmanship continues to survive into the present and remains relevant in the digital age.
Neon Lights: Reviving The Pop Culture Classic
At Carousel Lights we aim to deliver a service which extends beyond the creation of iconic, authentic neon signs – we are preserving a heritage art form. Providing the highest quality of craftmanship by our dedicated team of experts, from the conceptual phase to the installation and ongoing maintenance, we will guide you from start to finish. For us, real neon signs have the potential to beautify, excite, and transform a space by illuminating the creative potential of your design vision.
Real neon signs have come to be a defining feature of pop culture for more than a century with their enduring appeal which continues to stand the test of time. Whether you are looking for a vintage or retro piece of art, or a contemporary customised creation, Carousel Lights will help you actualise your neon dreams.
Evoking the spirit of nostalgia with a nod to the golden age of neon, to more minimalist, modern signage – we will deliver a product of the highest quality suited to any taste and budget.
