Static And Glow: Parliament’s Strange Neon Row

When Radio Met Neon in Parliament

It sounds bizarre today: in the shadow of looming global conflict, MPs in Westminster were arguing about event neon lighting London signs.

Mr. Gallacher, an MP with a sharp tongue, rose to challenge the government. How many complaints had rolled in about wireless sets being ruined by neon signage?

The figure was no joke: around a thousand complaints in 1938 alone.

Picture it: the soundtrack of Britain in 1938, interrupted not by enemy bombers but by shopfront glow.

Major Tryon confessed the problem was real. But here’s the rub: there was no law compelling interference suppression.

He promised consultations were underway, but admitted consultations would take "some time".

In plain English: no fix any time soon.

Gallacher shot back. People were paying licence fees, he argued, and they deserved a clear signal.

Mr. Poole piled in too. What about the Central Electricity Board and their high-tension cables?

The Minister squirmed, basically admitting the whole electrical age was interfering with itself.

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Looking back now, this debate is almost poetic. In 1939 neon was the villain of the airwaves.

Fast forward to today and it’s the opposite story: neon is the endangered craft fighting for survival, while plastic LED fakes flood the market.

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Why does it matter?

Neon has always been political, cultural, disruptive. From crashing radios to clashing with LED, it’s always been about authenticity vs convenience.

Second: every era misjudges neon.

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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.

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Forget the fake LED strips. Glass and gas are the original and the best.

If neon got MPs shouting in 1939, it deserves a place in your space today.

Choose the real thing.

Smithers has it.

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