@vfrmedia @Anke tbh, i think it may be an interesting translation of a media thing through references like you are thinking.
related to this, my niblings actually scared my sister really good because one day they were looking for something to watch on the tv, and encountered a channel that was just static. they had never seen static before in its original form! they'd never gotten used to static as 'this isn't working'. instead they mostly knew static from a cartoon where a monster crawled out of the static, and predictably, they FLIPPED OUT.
i think at this point it may be something where most people know it from their ironic usage and usage as a gag. (i mean, i don't think i've ever actually clapped my own eyes on a "technical difficulties, please stand by" sign on the television that wasn't being used as a bit.)
and tbh the more American design is probably losing massive favor for this because the cliche thing over here for that is the indian-head test pattern.
which, i will admit, on a technical level, if you want to make sure your television's sharp and in-tune, a feather headdress is a great subject for that!
but on the massive other hand: Oh No
so people are likely going to a more generic test pattern for gags these days lol