Martin Neon & Signs
65 West Felton Road
Cartersville, Ga. 30121
770.387.1100 | email

Martin Neon & Signs has the experience to build and install your neon signs in the Atlanta, Rome and North Georgia area.

The History

Although Neon lighting, in any tangible form, was invented in 1910, the theory of barometric light sources is centuries old. In 1675, Jean Picard, a French astronomer observed that if he shook a mercury filled tube, a faint light was produced. Picard had unknowingly discovered barometric light. This light was caused in part by static electricity. Neon lighting advancements would have to wait until the harnessing of electric power to come to fruition.

After the invention of electrical, many experimented with applying electricity to gas filled tubes and as a result, several electric discharge lamps or vapor lamps were invented from the early 1900s. A French engineer, chemist, and inventor Georges Claude, was the first to apply an electrical discharge to a sealed tube of neon gas (circa 1902). Georges Claude displayed the first neon lamp to the public on December 11, 1910, in Paris.

In 1923, Georges Claude and his French company Claude Neon, introduced neon gas signs to the United States, by selling two to a Packard car dealership in Los Angeles. Earle C. Anthony purchased the two signs reading "Packard" for $24,000. Neon lighting quickly became a popular fixture in outdoor advertising. Visible even in daylight, people would stop and stare at the first neon signs dubbed "liquid fire."

The Process
All neon signs start with hollow glass tubes. To shape the tubes, the glass is heated by lit gas and blown air. What is called 'soft' glass has compositions including soda-lime glass, lead glass, and even barium glass. The working range of our glass is from 1600' F to well over 2200'F. The temperature of the air-gas flame is about 3000'F using a propane gas source.

The tubes are partially cut (scored) while cold and carefully broken apart while they are hot. Next, the artisan (Martin) sculpts the neon to project specifications. When the bending is finished, the tube most be processed or "bombarded". The tube is partial vacuumed of air, then short circuited with high voltage current until the tube reaches a temperature of about 550' F. Then the tube is vacuumed again until it reaches a vacuum of 10-3 torr. Argon or neon is back filled to a specific pressure depending on the diameter of the tube and sealed off.

The Colors
Red is the color neon gas produces, neon gas glows with its characteristic red light even at atmospheric pressure. There are now more than 100 colors possible; almost every color other than red is produced using argon, mercury and phosphor, or phosphor coated tubing.

The Results
Use the menu below to view a sampling of some recent work in neon. For more pictures, see the photo gallery section.

Neon Signs

The Benefits
Neon signage gives off more light than other types of signs, and simply makes you more visible. Brilliance counts, and the brighter and bolder your sign, the more likely you will be noticed by a potential customer. Neon signs are by far the most visible sign type at night, and will definitely get you noticed.

contact us today to get started 770.387.1100