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, which was
1936 neon marquee sign for a theater in Auburn, California, as rebuilt in 2006
An enormous number of colors can be created by combinations of different gases and fluorescent coatings in the tube.
A neon sample display case in a glass studio
A neon lamp is a miniature gas-discharge lamp. The lamp typically consists of a small glass capsule that contains a mixture of neon and other gases at a low pressure and two electrodes. When sufficien
NE-2 type neon lamp powered by alternating current (AC)
A General Electric NE-34 glow lamp, manufactured circa 1930
Switch on a power strip, illuminated by a neon lamp
+DC (left), -DC (center), AC (right) supplied to NE-2 type neon lamps