The Great Soprendo
Striker
Have been buying a few old valves (aka radio valves/vacuum tubes) for an amplifier and stumbled across reference to a Mazda (not the car) valve factory in Sunderland. There's a picture of the inside of it in an old manual here (if you go a few pages in): https://frank.pocnet.net/other/Mazda/Mazda-DataBooklet1970Valve&PictureTubes.pdf
It refers to Sunderland 'A' factory (as if there were more than one, maybe?).
Unsurprisngly, Wiki confirms that the Edison and Swan Electric Light Company Limited (Ediswan) had offices (and a factory) in Sunderland.... "In 1956, a new cathode ray tube plant was opened in Sunderland. The company was renamed Siemens Ediswan following the takeover of Siemens Brothers by AEI in 1957. In 1964, AEI merged its lamp and radio valve manufacturing interests with those of Thorn Electrical Industries to form British Lighting Industries Ltd." Edison and Swan Electric Light Company - Wikipedia
A lot of the same process would have been involved in making light bulbs, cathode ray tubes, and valves (filaments, glass, vacuums etc).
I'm obviously aware of the Joseph Swan heritage here, and the dispute between him and Edison that eventually led to a merger of the two companies.
Thought this was interesting, anyway, may be to some who might know more or have some connection. Anyone know where the original offices were, or the factory? The office should have a blue plaque if still standing, IMO: it has a lot of historical importance.
It refers to Sunderland 'A' factory (as if there were more than one, maybe?).
Unsurprisngly, Wiki confirms that the Edison and Swan Electric Light Company Limited (Ediswan) had offices (and a factory) in Sunderland.... "In 1956, a new cathode ray tube plant was opened in Sunderland. The company was renamed Siemens Ediswan following the takeover of Siemens Brothers by AEI in 1957. In 1964, AEI merged its lamp and radio valve manufacturing interests with those of Thorn Electrical Industries to form British Lighting Industries Ltd." Edison and Swan Electric Light Company - Wikipedia
A lot of the same process would have been involved in making light bulbs, cathode ray tubes, and valves (filaments, glass, vacuums etc).
I'm obviously aware of the Joseph Swan heritage here, and the dispute between him and Edison that eventually led to a merger of the two companies.
Thought this was interesting, anyway, may be to some who might know more or have some connection. Anyone know where the original offices were, or the factory? The office should have a blue plaque if still standing, IMO: it has a lot of historical importance.