Frenchman Georges Claude earned the first neon-sign patent in 1911. Thus, the French proudly claim neon signs to be a distinctly French invention. However, a detailed historical check reveals that Claude patented only a special electrode parameter and the use of neon fill gas.
American McFarlan Moore developed illuminated, high-voltage-operated, gas-filled glass tubes before Claude won his patent. Also, German Heinrich Geissler developed gas-filled glass lit by high voltage and bent into names for shop-window decoration approximately 20 years earlier.
As such, neon signage is a multicultural development. But, culture and tradition differ between countries, and current, French neon-fabrication methods are no exception. According to them, their techniques are different and better. To be fair, let’s take a closer look.
A bit of history
Georges Claude not only pioneered the use of neon gas for illuminating tubes, he built a worldwide enterprise that manufactured and distributed his sign materials. This business model is now known as franchising