December 3, 2021
Today in 1910, neon lighting, developed by French physicist Georges Claude, made its public debut at the Paris Motor Show. The colored light is produced by passing electrical current through inert gases in a vacuum tube. Neon gas glows a fiery orange-red; argon is soft lavender; argon gas enhanced with mercury is brilliant blue. More than 150 colors can be achieved by combining different gasses and phosphors that coat the inside of the glass tube.
Georges Claude demonstrating neon lighting technology. Credit: Public Domain