Bush Radio Ltd.
Film House, Wardour Street, Westminster, London W1, (1932)
Woodgar Road, Shepards Bush, London W12 (1933 - 1936)
Power Road, Chiswick, London, W4. (1936 - 1949)
Ernesettle, Plymouth, (1949 - 1962)

Rank-Bush Murphy Ltd.
Ernesettle, Plymouth, (1962 - 1980)

Bush Radio Ltd. was officially registered as a private company on July 30, 1932, with H. S. White and C. H. Brown as the original subscribers. The company's name originated from Gaumont's Shepherd's Bush studios, though its first address was on Wardour Street, London. Gilbert Darnley-Smith joined shortly after registration and became managing director, a position he held until 1961.

In 1936, Bush Radio moved to a new factory in Chiswick, expanding its production capabilities. The company became part of the Rank empire in 1945, and in 1949, a new factory was opened in Ernesettle, Plymouth. Bush Radio gained prominence with popular models like the DAC90 radio in 1946 and the TV22 television in 1950.

A significant milestone came in 1957 with the introduction of the iconic TR82 transistor radio, designed by Ogle Design, which became particularly popular among teenagers. In 1962, Bush Radio merged with Murphy Radio to form Rank-Bush Murphy Ltd., strengthening its position in the electronics industry.

However, the 1970s and early 1980s saw challenges for the company. In 1978, Rank Bush Murphy was sold to Great Universal Stores. The Bush brand gradually faded from the British market during the 1980s. Finally, in 1986, the Bush brand was acquired by Alba plc, marking the end of its era as an independent British manufacturer and the beginning of its use of Chinese-manufactured goods.

Bush radios are currently manufactured and sold primarily by Argos in the UK and distributed through Harvey Norman in Australia, with their designs reflecting a blend of vintage aesthetics and modern digital technology.

HISTORY 1932 - PRESENT

The founding of Bush Radio in 1932 was more complex than previously understood. Official records show that Bush Radio Ltd. was registered on July 30, 1932, with H. S. White and C. H. Brown as original subscribers, both associated with 142-150 Wardour Street, W.1 - likely a Gaumont British office. This connection aligns with Bush Radio's known status as a subsidiary of Gaumont British Picture Corporation.[1]

Gilbert Darnley-Smith, long considered the founder, appears to have joined the company shortly after its registration, quickly assuming the role of managing director - a position he held from 1932 until 1961. His significant contributions to the company's growth and innovation likely led to his being remembered as the founder, despite not being listed in the initial registration.[2]

The company's name originated from Gaumont's Shepherd's Bush studios, though its first address was on Wardour Street. Bush Radio's early operations began in one of Gaumont's factories, before moving to a new facility in Chiswick in 1936.

The connection between Bush Radio and Graham Amplion Ltd. is more nuanced than initially believed. While Graham Amplion Ltd. faced financial difficulties, it did not directly transform into Bush Radio. Instead, a new entity, Amplion (1932) Ltd., was established to continue the Amplion legacy. [3]
By April 1938, Amplion (1932) Ltd. had substantial capital, with £200,000 divided into 5,000 preference and 195,000 ordinary shares of £1 each. The original Graham Amplion Ltd. was eventually struck off the company register in May 1939.
This timeline suggests that Amplion (1932) Ltd. operated concurrently with the early years of Bush Radio, which was founded in 1932. While there may have been some connection between Bush Radio's founding and Amplion's restructuring, it appears that Amplion's business continued independently, at least for several decades after Bush Radio's establishment.

In April 1938 the “Bush” trademark was registered for wireless, telephonic, and television apparatus. [4]

By April 1939, Bush Radio was manufacturing and marketing televisions for Baird Television Ltd. [5] However, at Baird's 9th Annual General Meeting in June 1939, a decision was made to cease this manufacturing arrangement and they announced that from June 1939, they would undertake all manufacturing themselves and no longer work with Bush Radio

World War II Era

1941

•  As of January 13, 1941, Bush Radio Ltd. had a capital of £80,000 in 5s shares, with all shares taken up and £25,836 in mortgages and charges. [6]

1942-1943

• By January 5, 1942, the company's mortgages and charges had increased to £47,426 14s. 2d.
• In December 1943, Bush Radio collaborated with the Ministry of Supply to organize an exhibition showcasing radio's crucial role in the war effort.
• The exhibition highlighted radio applications in defense and offense, including observer posts, raid warnings, U-boat countering, and aircraft direction.[7]
• By December 8, 1943, the company's mortgages and charges had further increased to £61,450 5s. 2d.

1945

• Bush Radio was recognized as one of the main manufacturers responsible for radar production during the war.
• The company contributed significantly to airborne radar sets, alongside other major manufacturers like GEC, Gramophone Co., E. K. Cole, and Pye. [8]

Post-War Developments

1945-1946

• In July 1945, Cinema Television proposed to take over Bush Radio. [9]
• The merger was approved, increasing Cinema Television's capital to £1,198,250.
• For the year ended April 30, 1946, Cinema-Television Ltd. (now including Bush Radio) reported a net profit of £47,221. [10]

1947-1954

• Bush Radio continued to innovate, filing a patent for "Radio wave systems for indicating the presence, range or location of an object" in 1946. [11]
• In September 1947 the foundation stone for the new factory at Ernsettle Plymouth was laid. [12]
• By 1948, Bush Radio was recognized as an ancillary business of Cinema-Television, which was part of the Rank cinema group.
• In 1954, G. Darnley Smith, managing director of Bush Radio Ltd. and chairman of the Radio Industry Council, was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (C.B.E.). [13]

1955-1959

• In 1955, Bush Radio applied for the "Telepic" trademark for wave band selection devices in television receiving sets.
• By December 1957, the company increased its capital by £520,000 in 5s ordinary shares, beyond the registered capital of £80,000.
• In early 1958, Cinema-Television (now proposing to change its name to Rank Cintel reported that 
• Bush Radio was its main subsidiary, focusing on scientific instruments and studio equipment. [14]
• 1959: Bush introduced the iconic TR82 transistor radio, designed by Ogle Design. This model became a design classic and was particularly popular among teenagers due to its portability.

1960 - 1986

• 1961: Bush Radio was still part of the Rank Organisation, manufacturing radio and television sets and equipment. The company employed approximately 3,000 people.
• 1962: In 1962, Bush Radio merged with Murphy Radio to form Rank-Bush Murphy Ltd. [15]
• 1963: Bush units continued to be produced at the Plymouth factory.
• 1978: Rank Bush Murphy was sold to British conglomerate Great Universal Stores. In the same year, Rank formed a joint venture with Toshiba called Rank Toshiba, manufacturing Toshiba-designed televisions in Ernesettle, UK.
• 1980: Rank terminated its agreement with Toshiba, and the joint company was wound up. Toshiba took over the UK factory and continued to manufacture television sets independently.
• 1980s: The Bush brand name gradually disappeared from the British market.
• ​1986: The Bush brand was acquired by Alba plc for use on Chinese-manufactured goods.

Bush radios continue to be manufactured and sold today, combining vintage aesthetics with modern digital technology. Argos in the UK is the primary manufacturer of Bush radios, while Harvey Norman handles their distribution in Australia.

This collaboration ensures that Bush radios are available to consumers in both markets. The current Bush radio lineup includes models that feature DAB+ (Digital Audio Broadcasting) technology, allowing for improved sound quality and access to digital radio stations.

These modern Bush radios often incorporate retro design elements, such as large dial controls, plastic casings, and carrying handles, reminiscent of transistor radios from 1960.

[1] Electrical Review Aug 5, 1932, Page 204.
[2] Wireless World May 1964, Page 236
[3] Electrical Review May 27, 1932, Page 791.
[4] Electrical Review Apr 22, 1938, Page 597.
[5] Electrical Review Apr 7, 1939, Page 515.
[6] Electrical Review Apr 25, 1941, Page 607.
[7] Electrical Review Dec 10, 1943, Page 783.
[8] Electrical Review Aug 24, 1945, Page 261.
[9] Electrical Review Jul 6, 1945, Page 35.
[10] Electrical Review Sep 20, 1946, Page 472.
[11] Electrical Review Oct 25, 1946, Page 673.
[12] Wireless World Sep 1947, Page 337
[13] Electrical Review Jan 8, 1954, Page 62.
[14] Electrical Review Jan 24, 1958, page 178.
[15] Wireless World Jan 1963, Page 13.