Neon lighting
Neon lighting is a type of electrical lighting that uses neon gas and a high voltage electrical current to produce a glowing light. The neon gas is contained in a glass tube, and when an electrical current is passed through it, the gas becomes ionized and emits light.
The use of neon lighting dates back to the early 20th century, when French engineer Georges Claude developed the first neon lamp. The first neon lamp was exhibited at the Paris Motor Show in 1910, and was an immediate success.
Since then, neon lighting has become a popular choice for a wide range of applications, including signage, advertising, and decorative lighting. Neon lights are known for their bright, vibrant colours and their ability to attract attention, which makes them suited for use in advertisements and other visual displays.
One of the unique features of neon lighting is that it can be bent and shaped into a variety of forms. This allows designers to create custom neon signs and displays that can be tailored to the specific needs of their clients.
Other applications include decorative lighting for homes and businesses, emergency lighting for vehicles, and illumination for scientific equipment.
Despite the popularity of neon lighting, there are some drawbacks to its use. One of the main issues is that neon lights require a high voltage electrical current. Additionally, neon lights are relatively expensive to produce and maintain compared to other types of lighting.
Neon lighting is a unique and eye-catching form of lighting, and its bright colours and ability to be shaped into custom forms make it a popular choice for those looking to add some visual interest to their spaces.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
The Buildings of the Malting Industry. Book review.
Conserving places with climate resilience in mind.
Combating burnout.
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.