Gunn-Son-Ola Talking Machine Company
Wingham, Ontario

Manufacturer of organs, gramophones (later, radio cabinets), pianos and other musical instruments.

According to "Wingham Musings. Brief Glimpses of Wingham's Past" by John W. Pattison: In 1920 the Town of Wingham was looking for an industry to occupy the factory building formerly occupied by Walker and Clegg (a furniture manufacturer) on Alfred St. at Centre St. The building was bought by Wiliam Gunn, a phonograph manufacturer from Saginaw, Michigan, USA. He proposed spending $75,000 to $100,000 on machinery and hiring 100 men. An open house was held on April 9, 1921 and phonographs were offered for sale made of oak, mahogany and walnut. In September 1922, the Gunn-Son-Ola Talking Machne Company was formed to manufacture organs, gramophones, pianos and other musical instruments. In 1926, William Gunn died and the company was taken over by his Son, Carlyle Gunn. In July 1928, Gunn-Son-Ola received an order from Stromberg-Carlson for making radio cabinets. When the stock market crashed in 1929, orders dried up and Gunn-Son-Ola was forced to cut shifts. By 1931, the company was insolvent and the buildng was bought by 2 brothers, Moses and Abraham Brown, who started manufacturing oak toilet seats.