When Neon Signs Crashed The Wireless
Britain’s Pre-War Glow Problem It sounds bizarre today: on the eve of the Second World War, MPs in Westminster were arguing about neon signs. Gallacher, never one to mince words, rose to challenge the government. Were neon installations scrambling the airwaves? The answer was astonishing for the time: roughly one thousand cases logged in a single year. Picture it: listeners straining to catch news bulletins, drowned out by the hum of glowing adverts on the high street. The Minister in charge didn’t deny it.
But here’s the rub: there was no law compelling interference suppression. He promised consultations were underway, but admitted consultations would take "some time". Translation? Parliament was stalling. Gallacher pressed harder. He pushed for buy neon lights urgency: speed it up, Minister, people want results. Mr. Poole piled in too. Wasn’t the state itself one of the worst offenders? The Postmaster-General ducked the blow, admitting it made the matter "difficult" but offering no real solution.
--- From today’s vantage, it feels rich with irony. In 1939 neon was the villain of the airwaves. Jump ahead eight decades and the roles have flipped: the menace of 1939 is now the endangered beauty of 2025. --- Why does it matter? Neon has never been neutral. From crashing radios to clashing with LED, it’s always been about authenticity vs convenience. In 1939 it was seen as dangerous noise. --- Here’s the kicker.
We see the glow that wouldn’t be ignored. Call it quaint, call it heritage, but it’s a reminder. And it always will. --- Ignore the buzzwords of "LED neon". Glass and gas are the original and the best. If neon could jam the nation’s radios in 1939, it can sure as hell light your lounge, office, or storefront in 2025. Choose the real thing. Smithers has it. ---
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