FORGOTTEN HISTORY: THE MARCONI SCANDAL

 The following article was first published in Candour Magazine, Volume 75, Number 4, Issue 857.

 G. K. Chesterton

"It is the fashion to divide recent history into Pre-War and Post-War conditions. I believe it is almost as essential to divide them into the Pre-Marconi and Post-Marconi days. It was during the agitations upon that affair that the ordinary English citizen lost his invincible ignorance; or, in ordinary language, his innocence […] I think it probable that centuries will pass before it is seen clearly and in its right perspective; and that then it will be seen as one of the turning-points in the whole history of England and the world." — G. K. Chesterton, 1936

The Marconi Scandal is an episode that has disappeared down the memory hole of history. There are reasons for this, as will be explained. It was a very complex series of events that have been difficult to distil into a short article such as this without leaving out anything essential. Nonetheless, I believe I have condensed the most important events and actions in this sordid affair. Firstly, we must begin with a little background history.