www.southgatearc.org

A Little Bit Of History
by Philip Davies

The Lissen Company was formed in 1923 by a Mr.T.N.Cole.
Initially. they concentrated on manufacturing quality parts for the home radio constructor. By 1928, they were a well-established firm and the Ever Ready Company, looking to expand, took over the Lissen Company. They continued to use the name for the radio side of their business until about the late 1930s.

In 1935, in order to promote the exciting new developments in Short Wave Broadcasting and to advertise their new radios, both for home construction and factory built models, they launched a magazine called "Short Wave" - not to be confused with the popular publication "Short Wave Magazine" which was launched much later in 1937 as a private venture.

Getting back to the Lissen "Short Wave" magazine, Volume I Number 1 had two free offers enclosed within (yes, just like they do today!). One was a blueprint for the "Short Wave 3" a radio for the amateur constructor, which was the main feature of the magazine. The figure 3 refers to the number of valves used in the receiver and, of course, they were Ever Ready - types K30G and two K30C, all battery powered triodes.

The other free gift was a world map showing the locations of 66 of the top short wave broadcast stations of the time.

As a taster of those far off days, here is part of the introduction to the magazine which, I think, captures the excitement of the early days of Short Wave Radio.

 

"The Biggest Thrill in Radio" "Crowding in on your aerial tonight are hundreds of tiny voices. From over the mighty mountains they come and over the face of deep waters. From the furthest corners of the earth, from strange lands you will never see. They come to whisper on the aerial at the bottom of your garden. They are the Short Waves, the long distance adventurers of radio."

 

For me, the Short Waves are still "the biggest thrill in radio".

If you are interested in the history of the British Radio Industry, an excellent account is in the book
"The Setmakers" by Gordon Bussey and Keith Geddes. Published in 1991, it should be available
from most public libraries.

Enjoy your listening!

Philip,

Philip Davies, ILA 023