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Old 29th Jul 2022, 3:15 am   #1
broadgage
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Default Decline in real neon signs.

It is in my view regrettable that real neon signs are now so little used.
And that the famous advertising signs at Piccadilly circus USED to consist largely of real neon, but are now giant flatscreen TV type displays.

In the case of somewhere as famous and well known as Piccadilly circus, I feel that the change from real neon to modern flat screens should have been prohibited.

In line with accepted practice I include under "neon" high voltage gas discharge tubes filled with gases other than neon, to produce different colours.

What are the thoughts of others ?
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Old 29th Jul 2022, 4:04 am   #2
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Default Re: Decline in real neon signs.

I agree wholeheartedly, problem is, there are no techicians anymore. Just dodgy-tle big screens that cost 1/4 what a BIG neon sign costs. I imagine likewise the electricity costs to run the same.

Joe
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Old 29th Jul 2022, 5:01 am   #3
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Default Re: Decline in real neon signs.

I think you'd be surprised at the cost of one of those big screens - likely the same if not more than the neons they replaced.

As for running cost, not sure they would be any cheaper, there's a lot of electronics in there.

As for yes or no for the neon's - not bothered - horses for courses.
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Old 29th Jul 2022, 5:43 am   #4
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Default Re: Decline in real neon signs.

My first trip to Central Station in Sydney. My first neon sign. A bunch of grapes dripping wine into a glass.
That was over 60 years ago. NOW its strobing dodgy tal ( my new word ) TV screens. I miss the 50 Hz flicker that added to to "movement " on neon signs. OH!! AND the colour, dodgy tal TV has woeful colour, even compared to an old HMV 23" colour TV of 40 years ago ( I think, it was 40, we never had a TV while I lived at home, OR telephone either!! ).

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Old 29th Jul 2022, 12:16 pm   #5
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Default Re: Decline in real neon signs.

Weren't neon signs notorious for putting out electrical interference?

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Old 29th Jul 2022, 12:27 pm   #6
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Default Re: Decline in real neon signs.

They certainly were especially if there was any leakage or corona in wet conditions. They were also a source of fire, arcing and transformer breakdown. J.
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Old 29th Jul 2022, 12:38 pm   #7
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Default Re: Decline in real neon signs.

When I used to visit Ericsson in Sweden in the late 90s, my business friends there took me to see the famous Stomatol toothpaste sign that has been there since 1909. It was the first one there and it's still working. There's also a skipping girl vinegar one at the Crusader Plate factory in Abbotsford, Melbourne, Australia that's just been restored after ten years of neglect.
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Old 29th Jul 2022, 12:43 pm   #8
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Default Re: Decline in real neon signs.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Electronpusher0 View Post
Weren't neon signs notorious for putting out electrical interference?

Peter
Yes, as a student in the 70s I lived opposite a fish&chip-shop whose neon sign was a potent source of HF noise which really ruined my attempts to hear Canadian/US Hams on 80 Metres.
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Old 29th Jul 2022, 1:14 pm   #9
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Default Re: Decline in real neon signs.

I think the Stomatol sign in Schlussen is actually incandescent bulbs.
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Old 29th Jul 2022, 1:52 pm   #10
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Default Re: Decline in real neon signs.

You are right Jon, see attached.

Regards
Trevor.https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/stomatol-sign
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Old 29th Jul 2022, 2:12 pm   #11
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Default Re: Decline in real neon signs.

I agree with Broadgage, at the very least a 'neon corner' should have been preserved in Piccadilly Circus. America seems more respectful than Britain in this regard, they tend to cosset aspects of recent history. Perhaps in Britain we're surrounded by so much early history that relatively modern and industrial heritage is considered less important...Dunno.

I begrudge losing all types of 'obsolete' lighting, be it T12 tubes (that work properly from cold..) and Sodium streetlamps that used to light the walk home from the office party. The broom of change is needed, I acknowledge that, but I consider it a bit too wide.

Dave
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Old 29th Jul 2022, 2:23 pm   #12
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Default Re: Decline in real neon signs.

I can still remember the buzz from those ladies clothing stores with the red neon names on them. There was a branch in a fully roofed shopping center that still buzzed like crazy without rain or damp.
I often felt that they allowed them to be noisy so that people looked up at the sign.
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Old 29th Jul 2022, 3:40 pm   #13
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Default Re: Decline in real neon signs.

The old neon at Piccadilly CIrcus were illuminations as well as adverts, very pretty and somehow magical. Reminded me of Blackpool but on a bigger scale.

The modern stuff are just giant tellies and we all have those.

No doubt all about the money, and nothing else. Advertising revenue, ease of rolling adverts, ephemeral / temporary and the dubious feature of making the place look like some distopian scene from 'blade runner' or even '1984'.
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Old 29th Jul 2022, 3:42 pm   #14
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Default Re: Decline in real neon signs.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Electronpusher0 View Post
Weren't neon signs notorious for putting out electrical interference?

Peter
A mate of mine had a flat in Soho near to Chinatown. I restored a radiogram for him and found that AM was completely blocked out from the noise from the Neon signs you could even hear the tone change as they switched the tubes in and out. I had to retrofit a FM tuner inside so the radio was useable.

I have a couple of signs at home which I cant use if I am listening to AM. They completely blot it out.

That said it is still sad to see the old signs decline, I wouldn't be surprised to see that after a few years they will be missed and start to be replaced with 'retro' reproductions...
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Old 29th Jul 2022, 3:47 pm   #15
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Default Re: Decline in real neon signs.

LED light pipes give a reasonable effect from a distance but they're only going to fool some of the people some of the time.
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Old 29th Jul 2022, 4:11 pm   #16
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Default Re: Decline in real neon signs.

I feel a song coming on...And the people bowed and prayed to the neon god they made.

Any puns coincidental.

Lawrence.
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Old 29th Jul 2022, 4:16 pm   #17
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Default Re: Decline in real neon signs.

As long as the moderators don't impose the sound of silence!
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Old 29th Jul 2022, 5:22 pm   #18
broadgage
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Default Re: Decline in real neon signs.

The giant flat screen displays as used at Piccadilly circus are not particularly cheap to install or to run.
The merit is that the displayed content can be changed whenever desired, at almost zero cost. A real neon sign needs special manufacture for any change.

Neon signs did in effect require an AC mains supply, operation from DC mains needed either rotating machinery or a valve based inverter.
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Old 29th Jul 2022, 5:24 pm   #19
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Default Re: Decline in real neon signs.

The beauty of a real neon sign is when it switches off and a clear colourless tube is visible until the orangy red plasma discharge returns. A lot of more recent tubing appears to be customised CFL tubing with a colour foil or varnish applied.
.
I agree the loss of neon signs is a loss of heritage. The flat display screens hold little appeal personally.
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Old 29th Jul 2022, 7:22 pm   #20
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Default Re: Decline in real neon signs.

This small business (Gods Own Junkyard), near where I live, is still keeping neon 'alive', so to speak.

https://www.godsownjunkyard.co.uk/gallery.html
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