The Tribune Tower and Its Neon Sign

The Tribune Tower in downtown Oakland is a distinctive building known for its neon sign that says Tribune in gigantic orange-red letters. John Law, the keeper of the neon, ensures that the sign is always on and rarely experiences any outages. Neon signs have a rich history and were popularized by chemist George Claude in 1910. Neon signs were once a symbol of prosperity but eventually became associated with run-down cities and decay. Despite the rise of LEDs, some neon signs are still being crafted by artisans and are sought after by high-end establishments.