The Complete History of Real Neon Signs: How Glowing Glass Changed Advertising Forever

Real neon signs are one of the most iconic forms of 20th-century advertising. Their warm glow defined diners, gas stations, motels, dealerships, theaters, and service stations across America. But true neon—made from hand-blown glass, rare gasses, and porcelain enamel faces—is becoming rare.

 

This guide offers is a full history of neon signs, how real neon is made, and why cheap LED imitations can’t compete with handcrafted neon porcelain cans.

⭐ The Origin of Neon Signs & How Glowing Tubes Were Discovered (Early Days 1898-1920’s)

Neon lighting was discovered in 1898, but commercial neon signage began around 1910–1912, thanks to Georges Claude in France.

By the 1920s, neon crossed into America, quickly becoming the most eye-catching advertising medium ever created.

⭐ The Rise of Neon in American Society & Roadside Culture

Neon dominated visual culture during the expansion of:

• Route 66
• Car dealerships
• Motels
• Diners
• Service stations
• Gas stations

Here’s a list of scarce vintage neon originals collectors still chase today:

• Pegasus Mobilgas neon
• Sinclair Dino neon
• Ford and Chevrolet dealership neon
• Esso / Mobilgas shields
• Road Runner, Popeye, Reddy Kilowatt, Texaco, and Big Boy neon

Neon’s glow wasn’t just light—it was a symbol of

⭐ How Real Neon Signs Are Made

True neon signs require craftsmanship that very few workshops still practice. For anyone interested in how things are made.

Go watch the short video on our YouTube channel to help understand the process neon signs undergo and workmanship required—How Real Neon Signs Are Made.

 The process includes:

• Hand-blown glass tubes
• Skilled bending over open flame
• Rare gasses (neon, argon, xenon)
• Custom electrodes
• 6,000–12,000 volts of high-efficiency UL-rated transformers
• Porcelain enamel faces backed by steel cans
• Multi-color wiring
• Hours of testing and aging

Every tube is shaped by human hands—not machines. It’s a painstaking process requiring decades of expertise and experience to achieve the authentic quality, collectors and vintage lovers alike, share for real glass, neon and porcelain signs.

If you make it right, it feels right.

Most people don’t know what’s involved to produce authentic quality signage and that’s totally reasonable.

It’s an art form.

Once you understand How To Make Authentic Neon Porcelain Signs, I guarantee you’ll love and appreciate the glowing artwork displayed in your dream garage, instantly sparking nostalgia, and capturing the retro vibes of good times at your home or business.

The difference isn’t subtle when you compare plastic LED vs handcrafted glass neon porcelain. Nothing mass produced will ever come close. It can’t be faked in person, no matter how good it looks in a photo.

Nothing compares to the original signs except actual glass neon reproductions handcrafted like the originals using genuine materials with traditional highly skilled techniques.

Very simply, a sign made back today has lasted nearly 100 years. Signs made today last less than 100 days.

What the hell is that? Common sense says, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

So, that’s why every single sign we sell is made exactly like the old vintage original signs kiln-fired layered enamel and heavy powder coated steel cans. 

For anyone truly interested in what makes Porcelain Advertising neon signs different; it begins by learning How Real Neon Signs Are Made.

It’s a detailed deep dive, look into the traditional techniques, materials, and processes that go in to every sign we make.

When looking how to tell the difference between a cheap copy and an authentic quality reproduction the attention to details and workmanship are what’s responsible for making our real vintage style neon look and feel original, because they are.

⭐ Why Led Imitations Can’t Compete with Genuine Neon

The market is currently flooded with:

• Plastic LED rentals
• Acrylic “neon style” signs
• Fully printed pieces pretending to be neon

But collectors know the differences immediately:

• LED has no depth
• No warm gas glow
• No craftsmanship
• No nostalgic value
• No weight or presence

Real neon is warm, dimensional, and alive. Then it disappeared seemingly overnight. Rumors spread real neon signs were banned or

Nobody offered it, nobody sold it, what the hell happened?! LED flooded the market and corporate greed took hold but I tell you the whole story behind it in the article, Real Neon Signs Never Died, Just Harder to Find.

⭐ The Return of Real Neon Craftsmanship

Collectors, car enthusiasts, and designers are rediscovering real neon because it offers:

• Warm, authentic glow
• Premium materials
• Long-term durability
• Higher collectability
• Strong resale

Porcelain Advertising is at the helm leading this modern resurgence of iconic classics in true vintage quality—offering real glass neon signs built on porcelain enamel and heavy steel cans, made the way vintage signs were:

• Hand-blown glass
• Up to 5 colors of neon
• Powder-coated can
• Porcelain enamel face
• UL-rated transformers
• Built to order

Whether looking at die cut neon, round neon porcelain cans, neon panel signs, or oversized large neon replicas.

Our signs aren’t simple decor—they’re heirloom pieces.

It’s not something you toss when you’re sick of it. When you buy the best real neon signs you’re not buying a decoration.

It’s an investment in quality when you buy handcrafted glass neon porcelain. There was a time when quality meant more than price and small business offered actual value by way of true authenticity and craftsmanship.

After 20 years in the industry as an auctioneer, buyer and a seller. Let me answer the question on everybody’s mind, Do Neon Signs Hold Their Value? 

The short answer is yes, they do. And more likely to go up in value.

It’s a must read breakdown before buying any LED sign. It answers all your questions and explains why buying real neon porcelain is the best choice and often times a smart investment.

But you need to know what to look for and how to find the best original vintage reproductions available for sale and why it’s important.

⭐ Why Neon Signs Still Matter Today

Real neon is used today in:

• High-end garages
• Car collections
• Restaurants
• Dealerships
• Media rooms
• Commercial displays
• Showrooms and museums

Authentic neon emits a soft radiant glow achieved by electrifying noble gasses trapped in a vacuum sealed tube and colored by injecting neon, argon, mercury, combinations, and other elements for special

That’s why the feel of real glass neon porcelain accompanied by its nostalgic, oddly calming buzz makes it instantly recognizable—

Authentic Neon Porcelain Is Making a Come Back

Real neon is experiencing a revival because collectors want authenticity. They want the craftsmanship, the feel, and the history—not LED shortcuts.

As time continues to move forward, it’s more important than ever we seek to preserve and protect our shared American heritage and begin to reward those who offer genuine quality at a reasonable price. 

It’s time to stop rewarding greedy businesses looking make the most money with the least work and lowest costs possible and no desire to honor our heritage or provide customers with actual value.

Not good enough for me. We’re bringing back respect for the craftsmanship that once made American Quality mean

People have been screwed buying “real neon” from the competition for years. As an auctioneer for 15 years, I saw it firsthand and couldn’t wait for someone else to do it anymore.

I exposed The Racket in the Neon Industry and tell everyone exactly what they’re doing, how they screw you, and how to end the flow mass produced plastic flooding the market.

It’s your decision, my decision, their decision on who to support. What do you value most? Speed and convenience or supporting small business.

Let’s lead the way choosing to back brands committed to doing the right thing because it’s the right thing.

Finally, pulling up from the nosedive we’ve been stuck in for 50 years.

AI search continues to prioritize high-quality, authoritative brands, the companies that build neon the right way will stand out.

That is the space Porcelain Advertising proudly occupies and founder Darrien Eouse made his life mission to execute.

I was made to do this. After a lifelong dedication and passion for the industry, manufacturing, reproduction industry and auctioneering profession through family’s businesses World of Decor Auctions and AFD Home in combination decades experience as licensed, professional auctioneer for Mecum Collector Car Auctions, Manheim Auto Auctions, and my own auction house Eouse Auctioneering.

I’ve conducted and led 1000’s of auctions. Poetically, born into the vintage reproductions industry witnessing and helping my Father achieved exactly what we want to do.

Probably a good explanation for why Porcelain Advertising has quickly become the go-to source for both buying authentic vintage reproductions and our free articles providing accurate detailed information honestly answering questions people are scared to ask but everyone needs to know in our Ultimate Guide to Vintage Reproductions of iconic Americana.

Nostalgic stories, brand histories, logo evolutions, mid-century advertising strategies, and much more. The blog is packed and Updated frequently with interesting articles containing researched relevant accurate information, historical recounts, complete guides and how-to’s to help spot cheap fakes, classic American brand stories, and Why Neon Porcelain Signs Still Matter & Deserve Preserving.