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Neon sign
Electrified, luminous tube lights / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In the signage industry, neon signs are electric signs lighted by long luminous gas-discharge tubes that contain rarefied neon or other gases. They are the most common use for neon lighting,[1] which was first demonstrated in a modern form in December 1910 by Georges Claude at the Paris Motor Show.[2] While they are used worldwide, neon signs were popular in the United States from about the 1920s to 1950s.[3] The installations in Times Square, many originally designed by Douglas Leigh, were famed, and there were nearly 2,000 small shops producing neon signs by 1940.[4][5] In addition to signage, neon lighting is used frequently by artists and architects,[4][6][7] and (in a modified form) in plasma display panels and televisions.[8][9] The signage industry has declined in the past several decades, and cities are now concerned with preserving and restoring their antique neon signs.
![Photograph of a large, elaborate neon sign at night. The word "STATE" is written vertically in red neon tubing on a tower above a marquee. The marquee sign proper below the tower also has an elaborate neon tubing design, including the word "STATE" written horizontally in red neon tubing above each of the two panels facing the camera. A reader board on the front-facing panel has black lettering that says "AUBURN PLACER/PERFORMING ARTS/CENTER/LIVE FROM AUBURN.COM". A second reader board on a side panel says "LIVE ACOUSTIC MUSIC//THE MITGARDS/IN CONCERT APRIL 26".](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e1/StateTheaterAuburnCA.jpg/640px-StateTheaterAuburnCA.jpg)
Light emitting diode arrays can be formed and covered with a light diffuser to simulate the appearance of neon lamps.[10]