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What makes neon signs glow? A 360° animation - Michael Lipman

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TEDEd Animation

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When the Hoover Dam was completed, it created a huge source of hydroelectric power and zapped a sleepy desert town to life: Las Vegas, Nevada. With the power supply from the dam, Las Vegas soon exploded with vibrant displays. The source of these dazzling lights was electrified neon gas. In this special 360° animation, explore the colorful world of neon signs as Lippy shares what makes them glow.

Neon sign making is still very much a handmade endeavor. What other sorts of commercial products are still made by hand and cannot be manufactured on an assembly line?

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About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Lippy
  • Director Lippy
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Animator David Winn
  • 360 VR Integration Idle Hands
  • Special Thanks Shawna Peterson
  • Sound Designer Weston Fonger
  • Music Jarrett Farkas
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Associate Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Associate Editorial Producer Elizabeth Cox
  • Script Editor Alex Gendler
  • Fact-Checker Joseph Isaac

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