Best of QoD: The history of neon

The Best of QoD -- Tony Cornero Parts I & II

After spending a couple of days in a hotel with less than working air conditioning, it occurred to me that a/c might have something to do with the rise of Vegas. I can't imagine those wool suits being any fun in 104 degrees. When did the first hotel have a/c? Did it cost extra?

I've read many books regarding the lifestyle and behind-the-scenes of Las Vegas. What book(s) would you recommend I read regarding the life and times of developer/casino owner Steve Wynn.

What's the history of Jean, Nevada, and what's the fate of the Nevada Landing casino there?

While playing solitaire on my computer, I noticed an option called "Las Vegas Rules." Was solitaire ever played as a gambling game in Las Vegas?

Can you give us a round-up of all the casinos that are under construction in Las Vegas at the present time?

There's a big vacant lot west of downtown that's just sat there for a long time. Surely someone owns it and wants to develop it. What's going on there?

Please answer a question about the native history of the Las Vegas area. Who were the original inhabitants of southern Nevada? And were there any episodes of violence between the Native Americans and the explorers and settlers?

Last weekend we saw a new building on the Strip, having something to do with residential sales for some MGM Mirage project. It's just north of New York-New York and we didn't go in, because, believe it or not, we couldn't find the entrance! Can you tell us what the residential sales are?