In a world of AI and automation, this series documents the final human masters of dying crafts and specialized knowledge. Each episode captures irreplaceable wisdom and technical expertise from individuals who represent the end of an era in their respective fields, exploring what we stand to lose as automation replaces human craftsmanship.
Tom Rodriguez is among the last neon craftsmen who can create complex signage entirely by hand, bending glass tubes over open flame and filling them with noble gases. The episode details the precise techniques of neon craft, from pattern-making to tube bending and gas filling. Through Tom's work, we examine how LED technology has nearly eliminated this century-old craft and what's lost when handmade neon signs disappear from our cities.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
