Jet Lite Neon

[dave C.]

Ran across this unit at a local neon shop. It brought back memories. It's from the Jet Lite Corporation, Highland, IL. Now out of Business.

My Father helped set up their first neon plant to make these around 68-69. Later on the units where coiled in Highland and we would transport them to our neon shop where my Dad made the final bends (the only steps that really required a proficient tube bender) and then pump the units (which was my job). When I was 15 I literally pumped hundreds and hundreds of these.

Obviously they were the precursor to the coiled fluorescent bulb. These just never caught on big. Used mainly as outdoor lighting. Fixture was large because of transformer. If I find a picture of them I will send it along. Most of the units where white or blue. Very few red ones where made.

[Erik Sine]

That's very cool Dave that you found a part of your history. Thanks for sharing

[dave C.]

Here is a couple pictures of complete unit. Just purchased on eBay that was new in box. Only one I could find.

[dave C.]

[imanut]

Oh man, memories. I remember those, repairing them. Not many red ones at all. The close coils brought lots and lots of bugs, possibly from the good amount of corona?

[Jakec]

My Grandfather was John Kutz Sr. His company was Jet-lite. I’ve been searching local neon shops for any jet-lites. My uncles hooked me up with one, that said I’d be interested in finding more if they are still around.

[dave C.]

Jake, Good to hear from you. I met your grandfather a few times when I was a teenager. Went to high school in Highland in 1970-71. I have searched and been unable to find any information on Jetlite on the Internet, perhaps you can provide a Wikipedia page or something. It seems a shame that an in-ovation like this is not acknowledged on line somewhere. As shown earlier in this thread I found two of these lights, both green, on ebay. They were still in the boxes from a Holiday Inn in Paducah Ky.  Thanks for searching this out, Dave

[Tex Avery]

I made 10 clear gold ones back in 2007. Total of 9ft. of 10mm material.

Was for a architectural restoration.