Name: | Essanay Manufacturing Co. Pty Ltd.; Melbourne (AUS) |
Abbreviation: | essanay |
Products: | Model types |
Summary: |
Essanay Manufacturing Co. Pty. Ltd. Essanay manufactured components, radio kits and radios from 1928 until 1938 when the company was taken over by Radio Corporation. |
Founded: | 1928 |
Closed: | 1938 |
Production: | 1928 - 1938 |
History: |
Essanay was founded in 1928 by Walter Moss Sweeney (1887-1964) and Ernest Aubrey Austin (1880- 1965). Austin was an apprentice die engraver, trained at Cumpston & Mason Engraving Works in Perth from c.1906 to 1912 and in 1913 opened Austin’s Engraving Works. In July 1915 he enlisted in the AIF and served in France a gunner in the Field Artillery Brigade. He returned to Perth in May 1919 and then moved to Melbourne a month later.[1] He was works manager for Radio Corporation from 1925 until 1928 when he formed Essanay in partnership with Sweeney.[2] Sweeney qualified as a Wireless Engineer with Marconi Co. from 1907-1912. Immigrated to Melbourne and was employed by the Postmaster General’s department from 1912-1916. He joined the Royal Australian Navy 1916-1917 followed by a short term in the AIF and was discharged in December 1918. He was the Australian representative for Radio Communication Company from 1925-5 and formed Essanay in partnership with Austin in 1928.[3][4] Combining the engraving skills of Austin and wireless skills of Sweeney, Essanay began by making wireless components, initially tuning capacitors, followed by.
Essanay Manufacturing Co. Pty. Ltd., was registered on July 3, 1930.[5] The partnership was very entrepreneurial, and they set up the following companies to assist with radio manufacturing and marketing. A.S.A. Equipment Co. Pty. Ltd. March 1931.[6] In 1934 they obtained a license agreement to use the Hazeltine Neutrodyne principle which was controlled in Australia by the Abrahams & Warner company, Neutrodyne Pty. Ltd. They marketed radios through their wholesale distributor company A.Z Radio Pty. Ltd. Some models of their radios incorporated a special dial, the Dualite Selectograph which has an automatic colour change that provides a special tuning indication. It reflects a rich amber colour for local broadcast stations and a vivid green for the international range.
The directors of Radio Corporation, Abrahams & Warner acquired the company in 1938. The remaining assets of the Buckhurst Street factory were sold at auction in November 1938.[9] [1] Perth Numismatic Journal Vol. 52 No. 1 March 2020.
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This manufacturer was suggested by Stuart Irwin.
Country | Year | Name | 1st Tube | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
AUS | 34 | Model P | 6F7 | |
AUS | 34 | Air-Raider AW Superhet Kit | 6A7 | This model was sold as a kit for home assembly. It covered 19-31 meters, 31-80 metres and... |
AUS | 33 | Model M | 57 | |
AUS | 34 | Short Wave Converter #1 | 57 | Output connects to aerial input of BC receiver. |
AUS | 37 | Bantam 80 | EK2 | Advertised in "The Age" newspaper 9 January 1937 for Aus£ 10/10/- |
AUS | 34 | Short Wave Converter #2 | 57 | Covers the shortwave band from 9-19 metres. |
AUS | 33 | 5-Valve Super 5MS | 57 | Advertised in the Essanay Super Het. Manual, 1933. |
AUS | 35 | 4/5 Valve Super | AK1 | |
AUS | 32 | Interstate 4 | The valve line up is described as "latest type five element six prong A.C. valves in conju... | |
AUS | 38 | Mototuned 5 Valve 8RD | 5 valve, dual band receiver incorporating motorised push button tuning. Advertised in A... | |
AUS | 36 | Cub 5JS [Mantel] | Advertised in September 1936 for £11/19/6. The Cub models were marketed... | |
AUS | 36 | Cub 5JX [Console] | Advertised in September 1936 for £12/19/6. The Cub models were marketed... |
Further details for this manufacturer by the members (rmfiorg):
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