The ARTfx Observer | May 2024
For more than a century, illuminated signs have defined the character of our streetscapes. From the buzzing glow of a corner diner to the towering spectacle of Times Square, the story of how we light up the night is one of invention, artistry, and constant reinvention.
At ARTfx, we work across every generation of this technology. Hand-bent glass neon, flexible LED neon, rigid faux neon. Each one has a place depending on the project. Here’s the story of how we got from gas-filled tubes to the signs you see today.
Three Ways to Get the Neon Look
Not all neon is created equal. Today there are three distinct technologies that produce the neon aesthetic, each with different strengths.
Traditional Neon
Hand-bent glass tubes filled with neon or argon gas. Prized for its warm, organic glow and the craftsmanship required to shape each letter by hand.
Flexible Faux Neon
LED strips in flexible silicone tubing that mimics the neon look. Lightweight, energy-efficient, and versatile for indoor and outdoor use.
Rigid Faux Neon
LEDs inside rigid acrylic or polycarbonate tubing. Durable, low-maintenance, and ideal for exterior signage where longevity matters most.
A Timeline of Light
The journey from the first electric arc lamp to modern LED signage spans more than 200 years. Here are the milestones that shaped the industry.
| 1802 | Humphry Davy demonstrates the first electric arc lamp, proving electricity can produce sustained light. |
| 1856 | Heinrich Geissler creates the Geissler tube, passing current through sealed glass filled with gas. Different gases produce different colors. |
| 1898 | William Ramsay and Morris Travers isolate neon gas for the first time. Its distinctive red-orange glow when electrified captures immediate scientific interest. |
| 1910 | Georges Claude displays the first neon lamp at the Paris Motor Show, proving neon tubes can produce brilliant light suitable for public display. |
| 1912 | Claude’s associate sells the first commercial neon sign to a Parisian barber. The era of neon advertising begins. |
| 1923 | Earle C. Anthony imports two neon signs from Paris for his Packard dealership in Los Angeles. They reportedly stop traffic. America’s love affair with neon is underway. |
| 1930s | Neon signs explode across America. Las Vegas, Times Square, and Route 66 become synonymous with the medium. Cities from coast to coast are transformed. |
| 1940s | World War II slows production, but the post-war boom brings a golden age. Diners, motels, and drive-ins compete for the most elaborate signs. The craft of neon tube bending reaches its artistic peak. |
| 1960s | Fluorescent and plastic signage begin to compete on cost and maintenance. Neon’s cultural dominance starts to fade, though it never fully disappears. |
| 1962 | Nick Holonyak Jr. invents the first practical visible-spectrum LED at General Electric. It emits a dim red light. Nobody imagines it will one day replace neon. |
| 1990s | Blue LEDs are perfected (earning their inventors a Nobel Prize), unlocking white light and the full color spectrum from solid-state components. |
| 2000s | LED signage goes mainstream. Lower energy costs, longer lifespan, and easier maintenance make LEDs the practical choice. “Faux neon” products emerge using LED strips to replicate the warm neon glow. |
| 2010s | Flexible LED neon tubing hits the market, making the neon look accessible where traditional glass would be impractical or code-prohibited. Rigid faux neon follows for even more exterior durability. |
| 2026 | Today, ARTfx works across all three technologies. The best sign shops don’t pick sides. They pick the right tool for the job. |
Why It Matters
Every project is different. A boutique hotel lobby might call for the warmth and character of hand-bent glass neon. A hospital wayfinding system needs the reliability and low maintenance of rigid faux neon. A restaurant patio sign might be the perfect fit for flexible LED neon that can handle weather and tight curves.
The point isn’t which technology is “best.” It’s knowing when to use each one. That’s what over 40 years of sign fabrication experience gives you.
Whether your project calls for the warmth of traditional neon or the efficiency of modern LED, ARTfx has the expertise to bring your vision to life.