Britain’s Glow Problem: MPs Debate Wireless Interference

1939’s Strange handcrafted neon lights (More inspiring ideas) vs Wireless Battle

It might seem almost comic now: in June 1939, just months before Britain plunged into war, MPs in Westminster were arguing about neon signs.

Labour firebrand Gallacher, rose to challenge the government. Were neon installations scrambling the airwaves?

The reply turned heads: around a thousand complaints in 1938 alone.

Think about it: listeners straining to catch news bulletins, drowned out by the hum of glowing adverts on the high street.

Postmaster-General Major Tryon admitted the scale of the headache. The snag was this: there was no law compelling interference suppression.

He said legislation was being explored, but admitted consultations would take "some time".

Translation? Parliament was stalling.

Gallacher pressed harder. He pushed for urgency: speed it up, Minister, people want results.

From the backbenches came another jab. If neon was a culprit, weren’t cables buzzing across the land just as guilty?

The Postmaster-General ducked the blow, 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. Back then, neon was the tech menace keeping people up at night.

Eighty years on, the irony bites: the menace of 1939 is now the endangered beauty of 2025.

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What does it tell us?

First: neon has always rattled cages. It’s always pitted artisans against technology.

In 1939 it was seen as dangerous noise.

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Our take at Smithers. We see proof that neon was powerful enough to shake Britain.

So, yes, old is gold. And that’s why we keep bending glass and filling it with gas today.

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Don’t settle for plastic impostors. Authentic glow has history on its side.

If neon could jam the nation’s radios in 1939, it can sure as hell light your lounge, office, or storefront in 2025.

Choose craft.

You need it.

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