NEON TUBES

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 96, 27 April 1929, Page 12

NEON TUBES

FOR USE IN ADVERTISING AND OIENAMENTAL LIGHTING. *

(By C. E. Han-is,- Managing Director

of-Claude Neou Products, Limited.) As within the next few days NewZealand's first Neon sign will be attracting the -attention of the people of Wellington, some information about this wonderful new method of illumination will not be amiss. Owirig to the remarkable and rapid 'development of Neon Tubes of all colours, the -electrical advertising of the world lias assumed an 'entirely new aspect. Instead of a poorly-lit hoarding or an expensive sign we can now have a trade mark or firm'a name standing out in letters of living fire, a, wonderful brilliant green, cold electric blue or the golden rays of the setting sun. As these tubes of light are always cold (none of the energy being dissipated in heat) it .is possible to produce effects that are equalled only by the Aurora Australis itself, at abque one-tenth the cost of maintenance of an old style sign. Moreover, the life of a Neon tube .is many times that of the lamps formerly used, and which require frequent replacement. The discovery of . Neon was announced by Sir William Ramsey, a British scientist to the Royal Society of England, in '• June, 1898. Associated ■with-Sir''.William Ba'msey in'this research was -Professor Laby, late of Victoria College, Wellington, and now- of the.Melbourne University. Neon (from: the Greek word Nlcos, meaning new) is an inert gas—-non-explos'ive and non-inflammable. It is extracted from the atmosphere, whore it is present in the proportion of about one to sixty-six thousand volumes, and it is largely owing to the reduction methofis of Georges Claude that it has at last been niado commercially available. This. French . scientist formed the Claude Neon Products Corporation of America, and'it is' this huge concern we have .to thank for the present .remarkable development of the Neou tube. The number of,. imitators who have come into the field, particularly in America, is indisputable evidence of the- success of the development of Claude Neou. The appeal of Neon is universal, emphatic, and entirely free of the disagreeable elements which have led the municipal authorities of beautiful cities to put drastic restrictions on. the use of electric advertising. Doctors, .chemists, dentists, undertakers, banks, and even churches have adopted Neon for marking their homes and' declaring their message to the- public: Neon is exceptionally valuable for harbour UghtjS and marine signals, and aircraft ■ beacons and railways signals, as Neon is-visible .through, dust,, rain,

and fog. .. - f .. • '■■:■ . 'These, tubes-can be adopted' for the largest 7 or 'the. smallest' installations. The corner store arid the-national advertiser : can benefit alike . by using Nature's own colours to radiate this message to the world. v Neon is used for 'outlining buildings, towers, theatres, lauding grounds, for interior decorating and" lighting of ballrooms;' theatres and shops, 'for photographic work, and innumerable other purposes'^ . ' .'■ "'■-.'*

The advertiser, the public, and the municipality all gain by the use of Neon tubes.,. The advertiser, realises more on his investment because the greater attraction value of Neon brings _ him. more trade. The ' dignity . and' beauty of hisf display actually acids'to his prestige. > . • . The public gains by knowing. what houses and products are offering the best values because of their progressive policy of adopting the latest advertising methods. • The municipality and the public generally benefit alike, through the improved appearance of the streets resulting from the use of Neon tubes of colour and line, the light' from which is soft and diffused, rather .than "a glaring glitter of bright spots, and yet is more brilliant, clearer, and transmits its rays to great distance than heretofore thought possible. " The burden of development and application of a scientific phenomenon from a laboratory, demonstration apparatus to a" practicable . and dependable product for commercial' use has been*, Home.and absorbed in the great demand for Neon tubes in the U.S.A., and Now Zealand is now offered Neon' Tubes as a perfected product. at uninllated cost, a good proportion of which represents New Zealand materials and labour. The first plant for the manufacture in Now Zealand is. here, and production will commence almost immediately. Two companies have been formed to supply the undoubted demand for these wonderful lights, but to save overlapping, double overhead charges, ■ etc., and; to' enable them to give better service, an •amalgamation has been • effected and the operating company will be "known as the Neon Light C 0.,. Ltd., representing Claude Neon Products, Limited, and the Neon Signs (N.Z.), Ltd. The Neon Light Company, Limited, has been fortunate in securing as directors the following gentlemen:— .Mr. J. M. Fleming, managing director of Messrs. Turnbull and Jones, Ltd. ■ 1 Mr. Bert Eoyle, New Zealand representative for J. C. Williamson's.

Mr. Llewellyn Williams, one of the Doniinioii 's leading architects. Mr. Phil' Hay ward, general manager of tho Fuller-Hayward Theatres. '

Mr. Beaumont Smith, managing director of <T. C. ■ Williamson's Pictures, Limited.

So users of these signs and illuminations can re^t assured that with these well-known gentlemen at the helm, the company will give true service, and this new .industry will prove of grout lusting benefit to., the public .of tho-.Do-minion.—J?.B, A.