Staring at Liquid Fire - My Obsession with Neon

As a kid growing up in the '60s and '70s, I was surrounded by the remains of America's mid-century neon sign boom. The colors, shapes, fonts and animation constantly grabbed my attention. By the time we entered a new century, many of these fragile pieces of art were non-functional and decaying. Fascinated by the warm colorful glow of the glass tubes, I still find myself drawn to all things neon. Even the rusting darkness of a neglected sign excites something inside of me. After a recent night-time excursion with my trusty sidekick (my son), I realized that I had enough neon-related photos to assemble a dedicated photoset.


Mobil Oil 1930s-style Pegasus Neon Sign

From The History of Neon Signs:

In 1923, Georges Claude and his French company Claude Neon, introduced neon gas signs to the United States, by selling two to a Packard car dealership in Los Angeles. Earle C. Anthony purchased the two signs reading "Packard" for $24,000.

Neon lighting quickly became a popular fixture in outdoor advertising. Visible even in daylight, people would stop and stare at the first neon signs dubbed "liquid fire."

Liquid fire. I really like that. Kind of hints at the primal pyromania that is deep inside so many of us. This is my collection of neon I've photographed over the past 6 years with no fewer than 4 varying quality digital cameras. Some of the signs still remain proudly standing, some are now stored in dusty warehouses or worse...destroyed and hauled off to a landfill. Most are from around Tulsa, although I had to slip in a few from other locations. I've done probably 8 dedicated nighttime neon hunts, and there's still MANY signs that I'd like to capture (or recapture with a better quality camera) around this area. I truly appreciate the fact that there are still artists out there who continue to create these wonderful pieces that can never be surpassed by simple back-lit plastic signs.


Nelson's Buffeteria Neon Sign - Removed in 2004 - fate unknown.

Someday I'd really like to visit The Neon Museum in Las Vegas:

The Neon Museum's mission is to collect, preserve, study and exhibit neon signs and associated artifacts to inspire educational and cultural enrichment for diverse members of our international community."

Our collection ranges from the 1930s to present day. A number of pieces are restored as public art and mapped for our self guided Fremont Street Tour. Others are kept in our Boneyard which is available by advance private appointment only.

And if I ever made it to Cincinatti, I'd certainly want to drop by the American Sign Museum.




We've got our own success story in the preservation and restoration of Tulsa's Meadow Gold sign above. After removal and storage of this Route 66 landmark, the experts at CNF Signs (restorers of the Atlas Life and Circle Cinema neon) are bringing it back to life. A new support structure has been built at 11th and Quaker (near Peoria), a few blocks east of it's former home. The metal framework has been completed and the huge neon-illuminated letters will soon be hoisted up. It's my understanding that only the clocks will be initially missing from the restoration. This Route 66 News article has some pics of the restored letters awaiting installation. The Cameras Voice has also posted these pics of the new structure, including the metal framework.


Sheridan Lanes Animated Neon Sign
I really want to update this with higher quality shots

Is there a favorite neon sign that you think I should photograph? Let me know! Among the top of my "Most Wanted" list right now is:
Ann's Bakery
Brook Theatre
Trippets
Sheridan Lanes (in action)
C&C Tile

Hope you are all having a great 2009. It's been a lot of fun getting back into Lost Tulsa after a long lull. Your words of encouragement have been great motivators to me and I thank you all for that.


Oasis Motel - Rt. 66 Tulsa