POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Neon sign from Wentworth Park Raceway Sydney

Object No. 2007/66/1

Neon Gas was first discovered by William Ramsay and M.W Travers in 1898 in London. In 1902 a French engineer Georges Claude applied an electric discharge to a sealed tube of neon gas to create a neon lamp. By 1923, Claude's company Claude Neon had introduced neon gas signs to America; Sydney's first neon sign was installed on the Tivoli Theatre, William Street in 1927. From the 1930s to the 1970s neon signs were a major form of outdoor advertising. As a visual embodiment of electricity and nightlife, they also became a signifier for urban modernity. Some retail and entertainment strips became famous for their packed neons. In Sydney, William Street and Darlinghurst Road were leading examples. These strips became favourites of photographers, writers, urban theorists and the many artists who created installations of neon. In 1935, Kenneth Slessor eulogised William Street's signage: The red globe of light, the liquor green, the pulsing arrows and the running fire spilt on the stones, go deeper than a stream; You find this ugly, I find it lovely At their best, neon signs exhibit a kinetic beauty and simplicity seldom found in other forms of outdoor advertising. Although the medium has aged its appeal has not, surviving fads of graphic design and technology. Whereas some cities have assigned heritage value to neon signage, Sydney has lagged in this respect. Indeed, Sydney City Council recently attempted to denude the Kings Cross district of neons, a fundamental element of its character. However in 2004 a successful campaign forced a retreat from the Lord Mayor : 'Clover Moore today addressed community concern about the potential loss of distinctive neon signage at Kings Cross. "Today I met with Council officers working on the Darlinghurst Road project to ensure that the unique character of the Kings Cross precinct is respected," Councillor Moore said. "I have asked the City to preserve the neon signs that create such a unique sense of place at Kings Cross. These signs include Playbirds International, Love Machine, Stripperama, Porkies and Showgirls." The Powerhouse Museum has a small but diverse collection of neons, including the 'AWA' sign from the eponymous 1930s city building. The greyhound sign from another Sydney landmark will add significant value and variety to the collection. Charles Pickett, Curator.