Neon is a colorless, odorless gas that glows bright when electrically charged. It is used to make bright glowing signs and artistic lighting effects. Though most associated with advertising signs, neon can also be found in a variety of everyday household objects. Let’s explore some common items that utilize neon lighting.
Clocks and Watches
Digital clocks and watches often use neon lighting elements. The bright glow makes the numbers and hands clearly visible. Neon allows digital timepieces to be read in dim lighting conditions. Some analog clock designs incorporate neon tubes to accentuate the hands and give a cool, retro look. Neon accents on watches provide a futuristic style. The neon glow is eye catching and provides a high-tech look to an ordinary time telling device.
Appliances
Many appliances utilize neon indicator lights to signal when they are powered on or a certain mode is active. Ovens, microwaves, and major kitchen appliances often have a neon powered light that turns on when the device is operational. The bright colorful glow makes it easy to see the on/off status. Likewise, other household items like vacuums, power tools, and electronics use neon lights to indicate power or mode settings. The bright neon glow cuts through ambient light to make indicator statuses clearly visible.
Toys
Toy makers often take advantage of neon’s bright glow to create exciting playthings. Glow in the dark toys use neon or phosphorescent materials to give an illuminated effect. Some classic toys like Lite Brite pegs use neon lighting enclosed in plastic casings. Slinkys and other novelty toys sometimes incorporate neon tubes or LEDs to create glowing effects. Neon lighting provides a magical quality to children’s toys. Party favor items like glow sticks and jewelry rely on neon technology to provide temporary illumination. It creates a fun and exciting experience for kids.
Sporting Goods
Sporting goods manufacturers utilize neon lighting to make equipment and accessories more visible and stylish. Glow in the dark balls for sports like football, basketball, volleyball and golf contain neon lighting elements. The illumination makes the balls easier to follow in dim playing conditions. Safety gear like reflective vests, belts, and wrist bands help wearers stand out with neon colored accents. Shoes, gloves, bats, and other sporting equipment integrate neon colors and glow features for style and visibility. The bright colors aid performance and provide a cool look.
Housewares
Neon lighting has decorative and functional applications in household products. Night lights use neon bulbs to gently illuminate rooms with a soft glow. The light aids navigation in the dark. Some utensils like neon colored spatulas and kitchen tools provide illumination to cooking areas. Glow cups, plates, and cutlery make dining and parties more fun with their neon glow. Nighttime child care is assisted with neon glow pacifiers, bottles, and teethers. Area rugs and other decor items come in neon hues to add lively accents. The glowing bright colors liven up home furnishings.
Signs and Displays
One of the most iconic uses of neon technology is in signs and displays. The bright tubing makes business and advertising signs highly visible from a distance. Table top neon signs provide quirky decorative elements. Museums and galleries use neon light installations to add interest and draw attention. Vehicle graphics and custom neon accents provide distinctive décor. Neon offers an eye catching lighting effect that stands out in public spaces and establishments. It attracts attention and gives establishments visual interest after dark.
Safety Equipment
Public safety is aided by neon illuminated gear and equipment. Traffic signs, barricades, and cones rely on neon colors and lighting strips to divert cars and pedestrians. Police, firefighters, construction crews and emergency responders wear high visibility vests and accessories accented with neon. It helps the public see and avoid dangerous situations. Boat and airplane distress markers contain neon dyes to attract rescuers. The bright colors are easily spotted in emergencies. Neon colors and glow features provide lifesaving visibility.
Electronics
Consumer electronics often employ neon lights in their displays and functions. Neon glow accent lights give a cool ambiance. Televisions use neon behind their screens to provide backlighting. Computer monitors integrate neon to illuminate the LCD displays. Electronic audio gear like radios and amplifiers use neon panels and tubes for a decorative flare. DVD players, gaming systems and other devices use neon for status indicator lights and accents. The bright colored lighting provides visibility and visual interest to common electronics.
Musical Instruments
Musicians use neon lighting to decorate and enhance their instruments. Electric guitars often have neon accents in their fret boards, around the sound holes and along the body edges. Keyboards and synthesizers incorporate neon panels and electroluminescent wire to glow while playing. Microphones may have neon adornments around the grille to highlight performers. Music equipment like amps, mixers and turntables integrate neon designs for both visibility in dim light and unique visual aesthetics. The glowing colors lend a dramatic flare.
Automotive Objects
Neon lighting is used in multiple automotive applications to make vehicles more visible and aesthetically appealing. Custom paints with neon pigments give cars a bright colorful glow. Engine components have neon covers and accents for decorative flair. Interior trim neon accents provide ambient lighting. Exterior trim like neon ground effects and piping adds glowing accents. Custom wheel rim lighting uses neon tubes or LEDs to highlight rolling movement. Neon underbody lighting and headlight/taillight surrounds finish off tricked out vehicles with a thrill inducing glow.
Medical Devices
Healthcare relies on neon colors and lighting to enhance visibility and function. Neon colors delineate gas ports, controls and displays on medical devices. Backlit monitors and displays use neon to illuminate x-rays, MRI and other diagnostic images. Neon lighting helps highlight controls and settings to prevent errors. Treatment lasers incorporate neon lighting technology. Medical alert bracelets and emergency medical ID tags use neon accents to flag first responders. Neon colors also provide visibility to medication bottles, IV tubing and syringes to prevent mistakes. The bright colors and illumination enhance safety.
Fashion and Accessories
Neon colors and lighting effects are utilized in clothing, jewelry, and accessories to attract attention and make a bold stylistic statement. Neon fabrics like spandex gym clothes make athletes stand out. Sneakers incorporate neon accents and colors for visibility and style. Handbags, backpacks, and luggage pieces in neon shades keep possession secure and easy to spot. Neon jewelry like earrings, bracelets and watches complement outfits. Neon fashion accessories like eyewear, belts, and hats make wearers pop. The bright bold neon colors energize any look.
Sporting Venues
Stadiums, arenas, tracks, courses and other sporting venues harness neon’s glowing visibility. Scoreboards use neon lighting to display game stats and results clearly. Perimeter outfield walls and sideline barriers often integrate neon signage. Exit signs and directional wayfinding systems help guide crowds with neon illumination. Concourses incorporate neon accents along food and beverage stands. Floors may have neon delineations to define lanes or boundaries. The vivid lighting provides visual stimulation and key visibility in low light conditions.
Conclusion
Neon lighting provides vibrant accents, visibility and a retro-futuristic aesthetic to a surprising array of everyday items. Its illumination and color transforms ordinary objects into extraordinary attention grabbers. From home furnishings and décor to sporting goods and medical devices, neon offers glowing style and function. The unique vibrant lighting effectively attracts attention, provides visibility in dim conditions and gives products visual pop. Anywhere bright colorful accents are desired, neon delivers illumination and excitements. Its applications are only limited by the imagination. So look around, neon may be glowing in more everyday objects than you realized!
| Category | Examples of Objects with Neon |
|---|---|
| Timepieces | Clocks, watches, timers |
| Appliances | Ovens, microwaves, vacuums, power tools |
| Toys | Lite Brite, glow toys and jewelry, party favors |
| Sporting Goods | Balls, shoes, equipment accents |
| Housewares | Night lights, utensils, décor |
| Signs and Displays | Business signs, art installations |
| Safety Equipment | Reflective gear, barricades, distress markers |
| Electronics | Accent lighting, display backlights |
| Musical Instruments | Guitars, keyboards, mics, amps |
| Automotive Objects | Custom paints, interior/exterior accents |
| Medical Devices | Monitors, controls, treatment lasers |
| Fashion | Fabrics, sneakers, jewelry, accessories |
| Sporting Venues | Scoreboards, barriers, signs, delineations |
