S. G. Brown Ltd.
Willesden Lane North Action London W (1917)
Victoria Rd., North Acton, London W3 (1921)
Western Avenue, North Action W3 (1926).
Shakespeare Street, Watford, Hertfordshire (1948)
1 Garnet Close, Greycaine Industrial Estate, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD24 7GL (2009)
1 Blackmore Lane, Croxley Green Business Park, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 8GA (2010)

1906: Electrical engineer Sidney Brown founded Telegraph Condenser Co., manufacturing & selling his inventions (kept till retirement in 1943). 1911 saw S.G. Brown Ltd. established for telephone equipment, with Brown coining "loudspeaker" & producing the iconic Type-A headphones (WWI workhorse). WWII brings gyroscope compass development & government takeover. Post-war, radios, hearing aids & more follow. The Admiralty sells in 1959 due to policy shifts & competition. Hawker Siddeley acquired them in 1960. Racal Electronics took communications in 1972. Through mergers & acquisitions, S.G. Brown's legacy endures in gyroscopes & navigation equipment for maritime & aviation use.

S.G. Brown Ltd.: A Legacy of Innovation in Telephony and Navigation

1906: The Seeds of Innovation are Sown
Sidney George Brown (1873-1948), a talented electrical engineer and inventor, established the Telegraph Condenser Co. This company, which he owned and operated until his retirement in 1943, served as the launch pad for his many inventions. Here, Brown focused on the growing field of telegraphy, manufacturing and marketing his innovative devices.

November 1911: Branching Out - S.G. Brown Ltd. is Born
Brown's entrepreneurial spirit extended beyond telegraphy & Condensers. Recognizing the potential of the telephone industry, he established S.G. Brown Ltd. in November 1911. This new company focused on the manufacture of telephone equipment. It was during this period that Brown's innovative mind truly flourished. He developed several key innovations that would shape the future of communication, including a telephone relay, improved receivers, and the now-common term "loudspeaker." Notably, his small workshop produced the renowned Type-A reed headphone, a piece of equipment that saw extensive use during World War I.

The outbreak of war in 1914 presented a challenge. With no British manufacturer of gyroscopic compasses, crucial for accurate navigation, Brown set to work. He not only developed his own compasses but also devised a novel damping mechanism for them. While these compasses weren't ready for wartime service, they were eventually adopted for both ships and aircraft.

Post-war, despite economic hardship, Brown's companies thrived. The rise of radio broadcasting saw them create crystal and valve receivers, horn loudspeakers, and moving coil loudspeakers. They also expanded into hearing aids and sound-on-disc recordings. The increasing demand for these products necessitated a move to larger premises in North Acton in 1915.

The company's expertise extends beyond audio. A 1929 advertisement showcases their production of loudspeakers, headphones, transformers, and even gyroscopic compasses, highlighting their diversification. Notably, Brown's gyroscopic control gear was used on the famed ocean liner SS Normandie in 1935, solidifying their reputation in this field.

World War II brought a dramatic shift. To increase production, the Admiralty financed a factory expansion and eventually took control of the company, replacing the Browns with their own directors. Strained relations between the Browns and the Admiralty stemmed from wartime priorities and disagreements over control. In 1943, Brown retired, selling his remaining interest in the company to the Admiralty.[1]

Following the war, the Labour government retained control due to the importance of gyroscopic instruments for future defense programs. However, in 1959, the Admiralty decided to sell its stake in the company. This decision was driven by a shift in policy regarding wartime production capacity and the emergence of other gyroscope manufacturers.

The financial picture presented by the Admiralty in 1959 painted an interesting story. While S.G. Brown Ltd. was acquired for a modest £55,750 in 1942, by 1959 its assets were valued at a significant £1,250,000. The Admiralty, limiting itself to a 5% dividend, had invested heavily in the company, providing an additional £546,000 of capital and approving a further £250,000 that year. Despite these investments, the company averaged a pre-tax profit of £130,000 over the previous three years, a reasonable but not exceptional return. Technically, however, S.G. Brown Ltd. remained strong due to its successful gyroscope technology and a cross-licensing agreement with the Bosch Arma Corporation, a major American player in the field.

The post-war growth in demand for gyroscopic equipment for aircraft and missiles, coupled with the presence of established competitors like Sperry, led the Admiralty to re-evaluate its ownership.  They no longer felt the need to retain S.G. Brown Ltd. for strategic reasons.

The sale of the company came with certain conditions. The government committed to preventing foreign control, protecting employees' jobs, and ensuring the company's continued operation as a precision engineering entity. Additionally, they aimed to avoid creating a monopoly in any specific area of S.G. Brown's work. [2]

S.G. Brown Ltd.'s Journey Continues
The company continued to evolve. In 1948, they relocated from Acton to Watford and developed a joint venture gyroscope with the American Bosch Arma Corporation. Further expansion led to moves within Watford.

Ownership changed hands again in 1960 when De Havilland Holdings, a subsidiary of Hawker Siddeley, acquired a majority stake.  Racal Electronics later acquired the communications division in 1972, focusing on military communications equipment.

S.G. Brown Ltd.'s legacy lives on. 
Though the company itself underwent several acquisitions and mergers, its innovations in audio and, most importantly, gyroscopic navigation for maritime and aviation use, remain significant.  Today, some products like gyroscopes and hand-steering units for military vessels are still sold under the S.G. Brown banner, a testament to the company's lasting impact. [1]

[1] Graces Guide, accessed June 2024
[2] The Economist Jul 4, 1959, Page 46