The Rat Post

     Neon signs, once commonplace on main streets of America, brought a bright glow to our eyes as it illuminated the storefronts of whatever curios or ephemera were being offered at the time, while also creating a nostalgic yet homey feeling to whatever town they graced. At a Glance What: Glass Tubed Neon Signs  Cause: Every neon sign must be hand-bent by a person; there is a dwindling number of skilled glassblowers trained in the art. LEDs are significantly cheaper, more durable, and more energy-efficient than glass tubing. What’s Next: Neon is making a return, except in the form of LED and in an “LED Flex” styling, paying homage to the original glass-tubed neon.  For More Information: www.armuseum.com and bentoncountymuseums.org   Neon Map Location: (Albany) Pix Theatre, Hasty Freez, Boda Furniture, The Venetian, Jordan Jewelers, Elmer’s, Ping's Restaurant, and Personal Barber Shop (Corvallis) Whiteside Theatre, AutoZone, Market of Choice, Jim the F...

    If you’ve recently driven on Oregon Highway 34, you may have noticed the street lights going from the typical halogen-type that cast the nostalgic “yellow” beam and buzz noise have been replaced with the more modern LED-style light. Photo by Skylar Wilkerson Intersection with Oregon Highway 34/Denny School Rd. But there’s something different about them … as they cast a purple glow?   At a Glance: What: Purple “Rain” – Purple LEDs casting a purple glow on Oregon Highway 34 Why: A manufacturer defect in the LEDs The Cause: LEDs naturally emit blue/purple light. They are typically covered in a phosphor coating to turn that light white. When the coating degrades or fails, the original purple hue leaks through. What’s Next: Replacing the affected fixtures in the next 10-12 weeks is estimated at $20,000 for time and materials. Website: oregon.gov/odot/engineering/pages/illumination.aspx For More Information: oregon.gov/odot/pages/media-contacts.aspx    ...