Susan Murray meticulously details the numerous technical hurdles, competing systems, and industry skepticism that delayed color television's widespread adoption. More than a simple technological leap, color television represented a complex interplay of scientific ingenuity, corporate strategy, and government regulation. The book illuminates the fascinating, and often fraught, path towards standardization and mass production.

"Bright Signals" explores how color television altered perceptions of reality, influenced advertising and consumer desire, and sparked discussions about the nature of vision and human perception. Murray reveals how color became a battleground for ideas about authenticity, representation, and the power of visual media to shape our understanding of the world.

The arrival of color television coincided with a growing environmental consciousness. Murray examines how the medium both reflected and shaped anxieties about technology's impact on the natural world. From concerns about the mining practices behind color television production to debates about the 'artificiality' of color on screen, the book reveals how this seemingly simple innovation forced viewers to confront complex questions about technology's place in the natural order.