「Neon Signs: A British Tradition At Risk」を編集中

Neon signs have long been a part of our urban landscape—those vibrant, eye-catching signs that illuminate the streets of London, Piccadilly Circus, and countless other areas. They’ve been iconic in British culture for over 100 years, but they’re now at threatened with extinction. The problem isn’t that people don’t appreciate them, but that cheap LED alternatives are flooding the market, often marketed as "neon" when they’re a far cry from the real thing. It’s a problem that’s hurting artisan businesses, skilled craftspeople, and even the future of this iconic craft.<br><br>The Origins of Neon in Britain<br><br>It’s hard to imagine London without its neon lights, but you might not know they were first invented here in the UK in 1898? Clever Brits Sir William Ramsay and Morris Travers discovered how to make this gas light up, and  vintage neon signs from there, the world was introduced to the neon sign. From the busy streets of London to the shining signs of Times Square, neon became a staple of cities worldwide. But now, we’re losing this part of our heritage. With only 27 skilled neon artisans left in the UK, the craft is in serious danger.<br><br>Why the Real Deal Matters<br><br>So what’s the issue? Well, the problem comes with LED lights that look like neon but are nothing like the authentic neon. Neon signs are made from glass tubes that are carefully bent by hand, filled with gases like neon or argon, and this art takes years of skill to perfect. These signs are true masterpieces, but the cheap knockoffs are factory-made, cheap, and often misleadingly sold as neon. It’s confusing for customers and damaging to businesses that still make the real thing.<br><br>Take a company like Neon Creations in Bolton,  LED neon signs run by Tony and Catherine Spink. They’ve been making real neon signs since 2005, but their business has faced a huge decline in demand as customers are misled into buying LED "neon" signs from big box stores. When these customers discover the difference, they often contact small businesses for fixes on something that aren’t even neon.<br><br>Why Neon is Still Important<br><br>Neon signs aren’t just about making a quick sale; they’re part of our cultural landscape. Think of the signs outside classic theatres, music venues, and restaurants. They’re part of our culture, and despite the growth of the creative industries in the UK, with £124 billion in annual contributions from the arts, neon is a small but vital part of that ecosystem.<br><br>The Call for Protection<br><br>So, what needs to be done? The solution is simple: we need clearer recognition for authentic neon signs. What we’re asking for is a formal certification mark, or a British standard, that marks genuine [https://jeparticipe.soyaux.fr/profiles/neonsigns24/activity personalised neon signs] signs as the real thing. This way, customers can easily spot the fake ones and know they’re getting the true craftsmanship.<br><br>It’s not about stopping innovation; it’s about getting the facts right. We also need to stand by the artists who are keeping this craft alive, like Tony and Catherine at Neon Creations, who are desperately trying to train new artisans but can’t because the demand just isn’t there.<br><br>The Future of Neon<br><br>The reality is that the clock is ticking. If we don’t act now, we could see this piece of history fade away. Neon is more than just a flashy sign—it’s part of what makes our cities stand out. We’ve got to preserve it for future generations—so they can walk down the streets and still experience the magic of neon.<br><br>If we don’t take action, we could let the lights go out. Let’s save neon for what it represents—a symbol of our cultural heritage.