Illuminated signs are everywhere you look.
But when did they first make an appearance and how did they come to be so prevalent?
Let’s take a journey down memory lane, through this interesting history filled with innovation and rivalry between two of the greatest inventors of all time.
Photo by Claudio Schwarz on Unsplash
The Early Days of Illuminated Signs
Before electricity, signs were pretty simple—usually made from painted wood or metal, sometimes lit up with gas lamps or candles. But everything changed when Thomas Edison patented the light bulb in 1879.
This new technology opened people’s eyes to the possibility of illuminated signs, allowing businesses to light up their brands in ways never seen before.
Tesla vs. Edison: The Battle of the Currents
The real turning point for illuminated signs came in 1893 at the Chicago World’s Fair. This event was not just about showcasing the latest inventions but also about a fierce rivalry between two brilliant inventors: Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla.
Edison was the inventor of Direct Current (DC) electricity, while Tesla was pushing for Alternating Current (AC). The fair organisers had to choose which type of electricity would power the event; a big deal because it would influence the future of electricity use in the United States.
Despite Edison’s efforts, Tesla’s AC system won out because it was more efficient for lighting up large areas.
The result?
The entire fair was lit up with brilliant AC-powered lights, wowing visitors and proving that AC was the way forward. It also marked the first major use of illuminated signs, with bright lights that could be seen from miles away, showing off the future of electric signage.
The Rise of Neon Signs
Though Tesla’s victory at the fair was a major milestone, the real boom in illuminated signs came in the early 1900s with the invention of neon lights. In 1910 French engineer, Georges Claude, created the first neon lamp, which glowed bright red.
Neon signs quickly caught on, especially in the United States. By the 1920s, neon was everywhere—from theatres and restaurants to the bright lights of Times Square in New York City. Neon signs became a symbol of modern advertising, lighting up cities with their colourful glow.
Illuminated Signs Today
Fast forward to today, and illuminated signs have come a long way. We now have LED signs, digital displays, and all sorts of new technology that allow businesses to create stunning visual displays. But no matter how advanced our signs become, they all trace back to the early days of Edison, Tesla, and those first glowing lights at the Chicago World’s Fair.
Your Illuminated Signs Tomorrow
Whether you know it or not, you are continuing a rich tradition of innovation that started over a century ago with the pioneers of electric lighting when you embark on an illuminated sign project.
We are proud of the signage industry’s rich heritage – and we’re unapologetically nerdy about it.
Whether you’re looking to create a sleek LED sign or a vintage-style neon display, your signs are not just about lighting up spaces—they’re part of a story that began with the quest to illuminate the world.
Contact us today to chat through your next signage project to continue this fine tradition.
