Neon In The Dock: 1939 Wireless Debate
1939’s Strange Neon vs Wireless Battle
On paper it reads like satire: in June 1939, just months before Britain plunged into war, Parliament was wrestling with the problem of neon interfering with radios.
the outspoken Mr. Gallacher, demanded answers from the Postmaster-General. Were neon installations scrambling the airwaves?
The figure was no joke: around a thousand complaints in 1938 alone.
Imagine it: the soundtrack of Britain in 1938, interrupted not by enemy bombers but by shopfront glow.
The Minister in charge didn’t deny it. But here’s the rub: the government had no legal power to force neon owners to fix it.
He said legislation was being explored, but warned the issue touched too many interests.
Translation? Parliament was stalling.
Gallacher pressed harder. He said listeners were getting a raw deal.
Mr. Poole piled in too. What about the Central Electricity Board and their high-tension cables?
Tryon deflected, saying yes, cables were part of the mess, which only complicated things further.
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Seen through modern eyes, it’s heritage comedy with a lesson. In 1939 neon was the villain of the airwaves.
Jump ahead eight decades and the roles have flipped: the once-feared glow is now the heritage art form begging for protection.
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So what’s the takeaway?
Neon has never been neutral. It’s always forced society to decide what kind of light it wants.
In 1939 it was seen as dangerous noise.
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Our take at Smithers. We see the glow that wouldn’t be ignored.
So, yes, old is gold. And it always will.
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Ignore the buzzwords of "LED neon". Authentic glow has history on its side.
If London Neon Co. got MPs shouting in 1939, it deserves a place in your space today.
Choose craft.
You need it.
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