Discovered : by Sir William Ramsay and M.W. Travers in 1898 Isolated in London, UK Origin : The name is derived from the Greek ‘neos’, meaning new. Description : A colourless, odourless gas that comprises 18 parts per million of the air. Neon will not react with any other substance. It is produced from liquid air for ornamental lighting (i.e. neon signs) because it glows red when an electrical discharge is passed through it. Image : Bright lights - Big City. Neon animation - click the icon above to launch. (Quicktime required) For more 109 Project animations click here.