Neon Lights Used For Signs
Once the sun has set and every one has got in their cars and started heading home, it is not unusual for people to encounter multi colored lights around them. They may be flashing, blinking or simply glowing, but what you would notice is that these lights have eye catching colors and are contained in specific shapes or characters. They are very interesting to look at and it is common to find these lights outside commercial establishments.
These lights are what we call “Neon lights.”
Don’t get the wrong idea. Just because they are called “Neon Lights” doesn’t mean that they are made of neon. Well, part of it may be true. Neon lights used for advertisements or signs are made of glass tubings that contain certain gases like neon, argon and krypton. They are not exclusively neon.
On both ends of the glass tube, electrodes are placed. High voltage electricity is applied on the electrodes ionizing the gas inside it. Then, electrons pass through them causing a reaction with the ionized gas causing an emission of light. The color of the light emitted would depend on the type of gas that was inside the glass tubing.
Because of the colors they produce and the cheap materials needed to make neon lights, store owners, businessmen and advertising agencies utilized neon lights for promotion purposes. You could see commercial places full of neon signs. Restaurants, movie houses, bars, arcades, entertainment centers, theme parks and even boutiques make use of this colorful gadget to capture the awe and attention of passers by.
Neon signs were first used during the late 1800’s and until today, after over a hundred years, they are still being used to identify stores and what their merchandise is; as well as entice customers and consumers to come in identified shops.