Electrical Devices Company
12 Great James Street, Bedford Row, London WC1
12 St. James Street, London WC1 (1930)
62 Conduit Street, London, W1. (1932)

Eldeco Radio, Ltd.
62 Conduit Street, London, W1. (1933 - 1938)

Brand: Edeco

From Car Parts to Radio Waves:
Electrical Devices Company, owned by Major Barnett, started in the early 1920s making car parts. When two of his tenants, Harry Roberts and Leslie Bidmead, lost their jobs in radio manufacturing, Barnett saw a chance. He offered them rent relief, capital, and space within Eldeco to build receivers on commission.

Roberts and Bidmead initially agreed, but their talents soon surpassed the confines of the arrangement. When Barnett proposed a change in their pay (unspecified whether up or down!), Roberts' sharp retort, "Upwards, I hope!" and their prompt departure marked the end of their partnership. After an hour of negotiation, Barnett conceded, admitting his mistake. Roberts, agreeing with the assessment, left with Bidmead to forge their own path, eventually founding Roberts Radio in 1932. [1]Eldeco Radio, Ltd., as it was renamed in 1933, continued at Conduit Street and thrived in the early 1930s, evident in their impressive displays at the Olympia Radio Exhibitions, as below.

However, their success was short-lived. In August 1938, the company was struck off the register and dissolved. [7]

Eldeco radios at the Olympia Radio Exhibitions: A Timeline of Innovation

1931:

• Portability takes centre stage: Eldeco showcases two portable sets: a four-valve screen-grid (17 guineas) and a powerful six-valve superheterodyne (13 mA current draw at 120 volts). Both boast built-in loudspeakers and turntables, catering to on-the-go listening.
• Secure connections: A new range of plugs and sockets featuring innovative locking mechanisms makes a debut, ensuring reliable connections.[2]

1932:

• Superheterodyne reigns supreme: The S.H.6 portable, a six-valve superheterodyne with band-pass I.F. circuits and triode output, grabs attention. Adjustable 9,000-cycle band-pass and a built-in speaker make it a versatile option.
• All-mains luxury: An all-mains superheterodyne featuring variable-mu valves and pentode output feeding a moving-coil speaker offers a premium listening experience.
• Multitone's magic: The Multitone tone-correction transformer steals the show with its ability to tailor the sound output to any desired preference.[3]

1933:

• Navigating the changing waves: Eldeco's "Stenode" superheterodyne tackles the impending station wavelength shifts with an ingenious clock-dial tuning system, simplifying station logging. Six valves, including a tone corrector, ensure exceptional sound quality.
• Portable power: Eldeco's six-valve portable superheterodyne, available with clock-dial tuning, stands out amongst suitcase models. [4]

1934:

• Stenode takes centre stage: A 9-valve Stenode radiogram with 5 kilocycle frequency separation, amplified delayed A.V.C., visual tuning, and 8-watt output to a Magnavox speaker pushes the boundaries of radio technology. Smaller Stenode receivers and 5-valve Q.P.P. superhets round out the line.
• Pushing the limits: The larger Eldeco Stenode superheterodyne boasts eight receiver valves plus a rectifier, showcasing a signal-frequency H.F. amplifier, separate oscillator, two detectors, A.V.C., tone corrector, and push-pull PX4 output for exceptional power and clarity. [5]

1934 (Radiograms):

• Radio-gramophones and beyond: Eldeco expands its offerings with radio-gramophones featuring the Stenode principle. A 5-valve battery superhet with a quiescent output stage draws attention to its efficiency. The crown jewel is a 9-valve radiogram with an automatic record changer, silent and visual tuning, and a powerful 8-watt push-pull output, offering the ultimate in-home entertainment. [6]

[1] The History of Roberts Radio, Keith Geddes O.B.E. and Gordon Busey.
[2] Wireless World Sep 23, 1931, Page 343.
[3] Wireless World Aug 26, 1932, Page 197.
[4] Wireless World Aug 25, 1933, Page 166.
[5] Wireless World Aug 24, 1934, Page 165.
[6] Practical Wireless Aug 18, 1934, Page 628.
[7] The London Gazette, Aug 26, 1938, Page 5486.