[njohnson41]

LEDs at 4 V DC are probably much easier to control with "microchips", which operate at a similar voltage, than neon at 2-15 KV AC. I agree he worded it badly, but the conclusion still makes sense for a loose reading of "essentially".

[randomdata]

Plus, the RGB LED pictured in the article can be "programmed" in the sense that the colour can be defined on the fly, and isn't bound to the bulb colour defined in the original design.

[dredmorbius]

You're reminding me of the electric light signage, based on incandescent bulbs, of the 1970s found in some older downtown areas. Effects such as "running" lights, etc., which judging by the racket they made were operated by electromechanical relays, and you could quite clearly hear them as they operated.