Our work focuses on low current, low temperature plasma discharges: glow and corona. Townsend theory predicts that the critical voltage to initiate a gas breakdown (i.e., a "spark") between two parallel plate electrodes is dependent on the product of the pressure and distance; consequently, variations in either parameter which results in the same product, pd, do not affect the breakdown voltage. In this work, we present Paschen curves of narrow-to-wide electrode glow discharges in two gas mediums, argon and air. These curves show a deviation from theoretical predictions, such that changes in electrode configuration create a uniform shift of the entire curve. We also investigate the applicability of a generalization of Townsend theory to cylindrical and spherical geometries in predicting non-planar breakdown voltages. This work will ultimately improve our understanding of the initial stage of the formation of lightning, but also has potential implication for industrial use of plasma discharge (e.g., surface cleaning).