The story behind two mysterious signs in the Smithsonian’s collection complicates the provenance of the invention.
(via OPEN: The History of Neon Signs - Hal Wallace - Technology - The Atlantic)
Via 100bostonsigns:
Built in 1933, this 68-foot high piece of history is displayed on Magazine Street in Cambridge along the Charles River. Although the station is still pumping gas, the sign has been not been illuminated for over two years. So many of the bulbs burned out that it appeared to spell the word “HELL”, and offended residents petitioned for it to be shut off.
Today, in “Things I Love.”