JB Chandler & Co.
Elizabeth Street, Brisbane (1913)
46 Adelaide Street, Brisbane (1923)

Brands; DUODEX; RASTUS; GLORIOLA.

In 1923 J. B. Chandler & Co. opened a store in Adelaide Street that specialized in electrical appliances and equipment. He then began to sell radio parts, eventually assembling his own sets and also importing sets from America. In 1928 his company became the Queensland distributor for Amalgamated Wireless Australasia Ltd.[1]

John Beals Chandler (1887-1962) opened his first hardware store in Elizabeth St, Brisbane in 1913. Chandler increasingly focussed on electrical household appliances and opened a larger store as "J. B. Chandler & Co" in Adelaide Street in 1923.[1]

The company opened a radio section in December 1924 selling parts [2]

From early 1925 they imported radios from the USA and manufactured “Rastus” crystal sets and “Duodex” 2 and 3-valve radios. [2] They also assembled and marketed the “Gloriola” brand in 9 distinctive models with a 12 month guarantee. [1], [3].

They advertised the Freshman Masterpiece 5 which was probably an imported chassis fitted to a Queensland manufactured cabinet. [4]

They obtained the AWA radio franchise for Queensland in August 1928.[5]

Advertisements from August 1928 show the company exclusively advertised AWA radios until 1935 when they also started to advertise other Australian brands, Astor and Hypresco. However the company mainly concentrated on AWA until the early 50's.

During World War II the firm was associated with AWA in installing and servicing radio, radar and echo-sounding equipment in ships.

This business grew to become the public company Chandlers Pty Ltd, with stores across Queensland and northern NSW, in 1938. Chandlers remained a family-controlled business until 1977. Chandler was elected lord mayor of Brisbane in 1940 and served 4 full terms till 1952.

In 1930 he founded the Brisbane radio station 4BC (4 "Beals Chandler") to stimulate demand for his radio sets. He went on to own various other Queensland radio stations, including 4BH in Brisbane.[1]

[1] Australian Dictionary of Biography, chandler, Sir John Beals
[2] The Daily Standard(Qld) Dec 20, 1924 Page 7.
[3] The Brisbane Courier (Qld.) Oct 16, 1925  Page 11.
[4] The Queensland Radio News Sep 1, 1926, Page 32.