Neon: a Light History


Book Description

A brief history of luminous tubing, neon signs, neon art, and neon preservation.




Flickering Light


Book Description

Without neon, Las Vegas might still be a sleepy desert town in Nevada and Times Square merely another busy intersection in New York City. Transformed by the installation of these brightly colored signs, these destinations are now world-famous, representing the vibrant heart of popular culture. But for some, neon lighting represents the worst of commercialism. Energized by the conflicting love and hatred people have for neon, Flickering Light explores its technological and intellectual history, from the discovery of the noble gas in late nineteenth-century London to its fading popularity today. Christoph Ribbat follows writers, artists, and musicians—from cultural critic Theodor Adorno, British rock band the Verve, and artist Tracey Emin to Vladimir Nabokov, Langston Hughes, and American country singers—through the neon cities in Europe, America, and Asia, demonstrating how they turned these blinking lights and letters into metaphors of the modern era. He examines how gifted craftsmen carefully sculpted neon advertisements, introducing elegance to modern metropolises during neon’s heyday between the wars followed by its subsequent popularity in Las Vegas during the 1950s and '60s. Ribbat ends with a melancholy discussion of neon’s decline, describing how these glowing signs and installations came to be seen as dated and characteristic of run-down neighborhoods. From elaborate neon lighting displays to neglected diner signs with unlit letters, Flickering Light tells the engrossing story of how a glowing tube of gas took over the world—and faded almost as quickly as it arrived.




Beyond the Neon Lights


Book Description

How did ordinary people live through the extraordinary changes that have swept across modern China? How did peasants transform themselves into urbanites? How did the citizens of Shanghai cope with the epic upheavals—revolution, war, and again revolution—that shook their lives? Even after decades of scholarship devoted to modern Chinese history, our understanding of the daily lives of the common people of China remains sketchy and incomplete. In this carefully researched study, Hanchao Lu weaves rich documentary data with ethnographic surveys and interviews to reconstruct the fabric of everyday life in China's largest and most complex city in the first half of this century.




Spectacular Illumination


Book Description

Spectacular Illumination: Neon Los Angeles, 1925-1965 is a spectacular collection of vintage photography that showcases the glowing neon heritage of the City of Angels. More than 200 images fill its pages. L.A. has long been recognized as the most vibrant city in America, and part of its radiance comes from streets lined with neon signs during the Golden Age of neon from 1925 to 1965. Photographer and historian Tom Zimmerman shows images that depict, in both color and in black-and-white, what Raymond Chandler, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and countless other writers have tried to put into words. Spectacular Illumination tells a story of a city that has glowed, now glows, and, thanks to institutions such as the Museum of Neon Art, will glow forever. Author Tom Zimmerman is a native of Los Angeles and shares a birthday with the city. His prose has been published in Southern California Quarterly, California History, and Los Angeles Times Magazine. His photography has appeared in many magazines and newspapers, as well as in several books on Los Angeles history and architecture. Tom Zimmerman is often called upon to photograph significant buildings for permanent historic recordation. A catalog of his dramatic photographic series Neon Noir was published by the Museum of Neon Art, where it was first exhibited. His photos have been exhibited across the country and are in several permanent collections including the Library of Congress, California State Library, and the Los Angeles Public Library. Three books of his photographs have been published: A Day in the Season of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wednesday at the Pier, and Downtown in Detail. He has also written three historical books. Light and Illusion: The Hollywood Portraits of Ray Jones; Paradise Promoted: The Selling of Los Angeles 1870-1930; and El Camino Real: Highway 101 and the Route of the Daylight.




Beneath the Neon


Book Description

Beneath the Neon: Life and Death in the Tunnels of Las Vegas chronicles O’Brien’s adventures in subterranean Las Vegas. He follows the footsteps of a psycho killer. He braces against a raging flood. He parties with naked crackheads. He learns how to make meth, that art is most beautiful where it’s least expected, that in many ways, he prefers underground Las Vegas to aboveground Las Vegas, and that there are no pots of gold under the neon rainbow.




Motel California


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Neon Lights


Book Description

My condition had gotten to the point that I couldn't go to work (fearing what might happen to cause a panic attack). Going to visit a few select friends or relatives (fearing what I could do if I had a panic attack), or stay at home and worry about the future, which it seemed I had no control over. I was about 35 at this time, now eight to ten years of living with anxiety and panic attacks. It was now time for depression. I had gotten myself into a deep, dark hole. Up until now, there was always a little light at the end of this tunnel, but now it was starting to close up. Nothing seemed to be fun anymore. If I did smile about something, it only lasted a short time.




Vintage Neon


Book Description

Neon signs turned North America's roadside into a luminous wonderland in the mid-20th century. These unforgettable depictions of exploding bowling pins, crashing cars, baton twirling majorettes, and lassoing cowboys were the fodder for legend and lore. Neon designer Len Davidson has captured their magic with over 350 photos of superb vintage signs. In the text, voices of neon sign makers, shopkeepers, photographers, and preservationists record their legends in words, while a definitive photo archive gives architects and sign artisans an invaluable resource. This volume is a treasure for all who have been captured by the spell of vintage neon.




Signs of Life


Book Description

Neon isn't native to Los Angeles, but it's difficult to picture the city without it. Every aspect of our lives has been spelled out in neon tubes across the United States, but Los Angeles is the king of that advertising glow. No other landscape could match its sheer quantity of signs in this city that grew up with the automobile. This latest exhibit from Photo Friends and the Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection celebrates the city's long and bright history with this unique type of illumination. Here is Los Angeles, City of Neon.




Neon


Book Description

"Neon: From Discovery to Modern Energy Applications" is a comprehensive exploration of Neon’s remarkable journey from its discovery in the late 19th century to its crucial role in today's most advanced technologies. Written by Ron Legarski, a leader in telecommunications and technology infrastructure, this book delves into the fascinating science and transformative applications of Neon across various industries, including semiconductors, nuclear fusion, cryogenics, and energy-efficient lighting. Starting with Neon’s discovery by Sir William Ramsay and Morris Travers, the book traces how this inert noble gas evolved from being a glowing feature of neon lights into a critical element in high-tech manufacturing and clean energy systems. Through detailed chapters, the book covers Neon’s role in plasma etching for semiconductor production, its use as a cryogenic coolant in superconducting systems, and its emerging applications in nuclear fusion as a plasma cooling agent. Ron Legarski provides a unique perspective, combining scientific insight with his extensive knowledge of technology infrastructure, gained through his work as President and CEO of SolveForce. The book not only explains the chemical and physical properties of Neon but also addresses the economic and environmental challenges facing its production and use. Additionally, it highlights Neon’s future potential in shaping industries such as quantum computing, advanced materials, and renewable energy. Whether you’re a scientist, engineer, or business leader, this book offers an in-depth understanding of how Neon plays an increasingly critical role in modern technologies. With engaging case studies, industry insights, and detailed technical explanations, "Neon: From Discovery to Modern Energy Applications" is the definitive guide to one of the most important elements driving technological innovation and sustainable energy solutions.