History of Neon Signs

People often say that in order to determine the prosperity of a city, you can see how bright it is at night. This is particularly true for Hong Kong as Hong Kong streets were once dominant by neon signs. The history of neon signs in Hong Kong can be traced back to the early 1930s. However, the bloom of neon signs was mainly after the Second World War when Hong Kong experienced a surge in economy. During this period, television was not popular yet so neon signs became the best way to advertise all kinds of products and shops such as restaurants and nightclubs.

Nevertheless, due to the rise of other alternatives such as computer printing and the implementation of new policy regarding pedestrian safety in 2010, neon signs were gradually replaced and reduced in number. Therefore, these traditional neon signs have become a collective memory of Hong Kong residences in the old days.