Peter Curtis Ltd.
75a Camden Rd., London NW1 (1923)
11, Red Lion Square, London WC (1927)

British Curtis Radio, Ltd.
11, Red Lion Square, London WC (1927)

Brands:  Radionette, Duodyne & Curtis

Peter Curtis Ltd. manufactured Duodyne and Radionette brand radios and components under the brands Curtis, Paragon, and Camden in the 1920s.
The company also worked in conjunction with the Paragon Rubber Mfg. Co., Ltd. of Hull and used the ebonite products in their radios and components.

Peter Curtis served in the Royal Navy from 1902 to 1919 and reached the rank of Lieutenant.

Curtis was involved with Wireless Agencies Ltd. for a short period manufacturing Radionette radios until the company was liquidated in July 1923.

The company, Peter Curtis Ltd. was registered on October 15, 1923.[1].

They manufactured Duodyne & Radionette brand radios and components under the brands Curtis, Paragon, and Camden.

The company worked in conjunction with the Paragon Rubber Mfg. Co., Ltd. of Hull and used the ebonite products in their radios & components. [2]

A description of both company’s products was presented at the British Industries Fair in February 1925 and described in the Electrical Review in March 1925.

Messrs. Peter Curtis Ltd.:
One of the principal parts of this company’s display of radio apparatus was its Duodyne apparatus. In these receiving sets double HF amplification is employed. The first HF valve functions through a “Curtis’’ constant-tuned HF amplifier, which is followed by an “orthodox’’ tuned anode circuit immediately before the rectifying valve. It is claimed that the constant-tuned amplifier is absolutely automatic in action, requiring no control whatsoever.
In the company’s sets, which are built into ornate cabinets or simple boxes, as desired, the circuits are as described or are followed by one or two LF amplifying valves.
Another range of sets exhibited by the company was the Radionette type. The range included crystal and crystal-valve receivers. The Silver Ghost crystal set in an aluminium case was another neat design shown by the company.

The Paragon Rubber Mfg. Co., Ltd.: This company, which is associated with the preceding one, has a comprehensive display of its hard-rubber products for electrical and other purposes. This included crystal and valve panels, telephone earpieces and handles, dials, variometer rotors and stators, coil holders, etc. Ebonite grained to simulate Mahogany and Walnut was also exhibited, the latter being very like the real article. [3]

In April 1925 Paragon and Peter Curtis reorganised with Peter Curtis Ltd. acting as the central sales organisation for the two companies. [4]

In 1927, Peter Curtis Ltd. ran into financial difficulties and British Curtis Radio, Ltd. was formed to acquire the business. A. E. Blackwell, director of the Vulcan Chemical Company, and G. V. Croot were appointed as Managing Directors. [5]

In July 1930, the Directors of British Curtis Radio, Ltd., G. F. Wrigley, and G. V. Croot, formed Umello Ltd. of 55, Great Marlborough Street, W1 to carry on the business of manufacturers of and dealers in wireless apparatus. [6]

It is unclear why Umello Ltd. was formed, but it is possible that it was an attempt to streamline the business operations of British Curtis Radio, Ltd. It is also possible that it was an attempt to expand the company's product range or to enter new markets.

Whatever the reason for its formation, Umello Ltd. was a relatively short-lived company. It was liquidated in 1933.

The history of Peter Curtis Ltd., British Curtis Radio, Ltd., and Umello Ltd. is a complex and fascinating one. It is a story of innovation, competition, and financial difficulty. It is also a story of the early days of the radio industry in the United Kingdom.

[1] Electrical Review Oct 26, 1923, Page 627.
[2] Wireless Weekly Nov 14, 1923, Page 624.
[3] Electrical Review Mar 6, 1925, Page 896.
[4] Broadcaster & Wireless Retailer Apr 1925, Page 144.
[5] Electrical Review Jun 10, 1927, Page 938.
[6] Wireless & Gramophone Trader Aug 23, 1930, Page 208.