Neon light Signboards: the Fading yet Glowing Collective Memories

Background
Neon light signs are electronic signboards designed with gas-charged tubes. The long tubes are filled with rarefied neon or other gases and are bend to shapes to display pictures and symbols. The signboards are able to show a wide range of colours due to the use of different gases and chemicals. For example, neon shows orange, hydrogen shows red and mercury shows blue. Such lightings can create a dramatic and colourful effect on advertising, thus were popular in America during the 1920s to the 1950s.
Bloom in Hong Kong
After World War II, the Hong Kong economy developed rapidly. During that period, neon light signboards were introduced to Hong Kong, and immediately caught the eyeballs of the entrepreneurs. These multi-coloured and bright signs were considered to be vanguard, as they were the high-tech products at that time. From jewellery shops to restaurants and even nightclubs, almost every shop in the city applied neon lights on their logo. Numbers of neon light signboards on Hong Kong streets went to the peak during the 1960s to 1990s. At that time, neon light signboards could be seen covering the whole surface of building. The famous “National Panasonic Sign” on Nathan Road was also built in that period. It's enormous size even broke the Guinness record for being the largest neon light signboard. Signboards shined through the night and the heart of that generation of Hong Kongers.
Fading of Neon light Signboards
However, the symbolic neon light signboards are facing removal in the recent decade. According to M+, a museum in Hong Kong, the neon light signboards are disappearing in a fast speed of thousands per year. This includes the famous and most recognized signboards, such as the bull-shaped “Sammy’s Kitchen” signboard, and the 4 storeys high “Shun Hing Restaurant” signboard. The main reason of the removal is the launch of Signboard Control System by the Buildings Department in 2010. According to the Buildings Ordinance (Cap 123), no erection of signboards should be carried out without the approval of the Building Department. As large amount of the existing signboards were built ages ago without consents from the authority, the Building Department allows owner to modify the signboards to an acceptable standard. Under the new standard, signboards should not be extended from the exterior wall for more than 4.2 metres and should be hanged at least 3.5 meters from the ground. Some signature signboards were therefore removed. Besides, the introduction of LED lights provide another option for owners, as they are cheaper and demand less electricity.
Conservation of Neon light Signboards
As the neon light signboards are disappearing, people stand up to try to conserve the collective memories of Hong Kongers. Ken Fung and Kevin Mak from streetlightHK are running exhibition to display removed signboards. “We have seen visitors among all ages in the exhibitions,” they say. “The older generation comes to the exhibition to bring back old memories, while the younger generation are more interested in “check-in” with the exhibits.” They believe that neon light signs can be attractive to the young generation. In spite of the fact that lots of neon light signboards have been disappeared from the street, there is still a place for neon light decoration in interior design. Moreover, they have met young people who went overseas to learn how to make neon light signs. Although neon light signboards seems fading in Hong Kong, it’s future is still glowing.