Radio Gramophone Development Co. Ltd.
St. Peter’s Place, Broad Street, Birmingham (1929)
Globe Works, 18-20, Frederick Street, Birmingham. (1931)
Pale Meadow Works, Bridgenorth (1941)
Eastern Avenue West, Romford, Essex.  (1955 - 1966) 

Brand: RGD (R.G.D.)

Born in 1929, RGD graced Birmingham with opulent radio gramophones and cutting-edge television sets. Their "aristocrats of the radio world" tagline resonated until war drums beat in 1941. Adapting with grit, they shifted gears, churning out vital radar systems and air combat trainers, earning wartime accolades for their technical prowess. After the dust settled, mergers reshaped their path, venturing into collaborations with Regentone before bowing out gracefully in 1970.

RGD's story echoes innovation, adaptability, and a touch of bygone luxury, leaving behind a legacy that endures beyond the final curtain.

Early Years and Mergers:

• The Radio Gramophone Development Co. (RGD) likely started around 1929, possibly by Gordon Baynton.
• An August 1930 Wireless & Gramophone Trader article reported Baynton's merger with Midland Radio Service Ltd., a prominent Birmingham business. This union strengthened its battery service and expanded offerings to include popular RGD radio gramophones. [1]
• Baynton served as RGD's joint general and sales manager by 1935.

Products and Marketing:

• A September 1929 Wireless Weekly article described RGD's diverse products at the Olympia Radio Exhibition, highlighting a DC model with advanced features like pre- and post-detection volume control.
• Their offerings included moving-coil loudspeakers, gramophone turntables, and separate power amplifiers for public address systems. Notably, they sold a coil-damped pickup with a unique reed design. [2]
• The company moved to Globe Works in Frederick Street, Birmingham, in 1929.
• RGD products were high-end, marketed as;
      The aristocrats of the radio world
      Supersets
      The world's finest radiogramophones
      The greatest of all radiograms
• They boasted features like automatic record changers in several models and a 9-valve superheterodyne Model 901 with advanced capabilities in 1932.

Television and World War II:

• In March 1939, Television & Short-Wave Magazine covered RGD's television sets, including a model with a 10" by 8" picture and a combined television and all-wave radio receiver with 40 valves. [3]
• Due to World War II, RGD shifted to Bridgnorth in February 1941 and played a crucial role in the war effort. They received official recognition for developing and producing vital equipment like ground radar IFF responders, Abdullah radar homing systems, Oboe navigation system test equipment, and GCI trainers. Additionally, they manufactured receivers, transmitters, portable walkie-talkies, and airborne suppressors. Notably, they developed a trainer simulating air raids, saving the RAF significant resources.
• After the war, RGD returned to producing radios and televisions until selling the factory to the Automatic Telephone and Electrical Company in 1952.[4]

Other Milestones:

• In March 1946, RGD established a wholesaler network across the UK with depots in London, Manchester, and Birmingham.[5]
• This was followed by television training programs for dealer engineers. [6]
• Around 1949, RGD became a wholly-owned subsidiary of British Insulated Callender's Cables Ltd.
• A company reorganization in 1951 transferred RGD to the Automatic Telephone and Electric Company, focusing primarily on defense contracts until the end of 1951.[7]
• RGD & Regentone Products Ltd. was acquired by Lloyd's Packing Warehouses (Holdings), Ltd. circa 1958. [8]
• Plessey Company purchased Regentone's Eastern Avenue factory in 1961 and manufactured RGD receivers under Regentone specifications. [9]
• Standard Telephones & Cables acquired Regentone Products Ltd. in 1963, including RGD and other subsidiaries. [10]

The Radio Gramophone Development Co. Ltd. was officially dissolved in 1970. [11]

[1] Wireless & Gramophone Trader Aug 23, 1930, Page 182.
[2] Wireless World Sep 25, 1929, Page 349.
[3] Television & Short-Wave Mar 1939, Page 158.
[4] Bridgnorth Journal Sep 22, 1945.
[5] Wireless World Mar 1946, Page Ad 13.
[6] Practical Television Sep 1949, Page 27.
[7] Practical Wireless Oct 1951, Page 437.
[8] The Economist Feb 1, 1958, Page 447.
[9] Wireless World Jul 1961, Page 350.
[10] Wireless World Jan 1963, Page 15.
[11] London Gazette May 14, 1970, Page 5472.