Flickering Light: A History of Neon

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Without neon, Las Vegas might still be a sleepy desert town and Times Square just another busy intersection. The installation of these brightly colored signs has transformed these locations into world-famous symbols of popular culture, yet for some, neon embodies the worst of commercialism. Energized by this duality, Flickering Light delves into the technological and intellectual history of neon, from the discovery of noble gas in late nineteenth-century London to its waning popularity today. Christoph Ribbat traces the influence of writers, artists, and musicians—such as Theodor Adorno, the Verve, Tracey Emin, Vladimir Nabokov, and Langston Hughes—who used neon cities in Europe, America, and Asia as metaphors for the modern era. He highlights the craftsmanship behind neon advertisements, which added elegance to urban landscapes during its heyday between the wars and its boom in Las Vegas during the 1950s and '60s. Ribbat concludes with a poignant reflection on neon’s decline, noting how these once-vibrant signs have become symbols of neglect in rundown neighborhoods. From grand displays to forgotten diner signs, this narrative captures the rise and fall of neon’s impact on the world.