H. Hacker and Sons
25 High Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire (1927)
Perfecto, Works, Ray Lea Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire. (1929)

Dynatron Radio Ltd.
Perfecto, Works, Ray Lea Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire. (1936 -1952)

Keates-Hacker Co. Ltd.
91 -93, Bishopsgate, London, E.C.2. (1937-1939)

Founded in 1927 by the Hacker brothers, Dynatron became renowned for its high-valve, high-fidelity radios and foray into televisions. While Dynatron saw success with its unique designs and technical prowess, a short-lived collaboration with Keates-Hacker Co. Ltd. in 1937 catering to the luxury market with bespoke, "custom-built" receivers. Ultimately, both Dynatron and the Hacker brothers' later venture, Hacker Radio, achieved recognition for their commitment to premium sound quality.

Dynatron Radio Ltd.: From Humble Beginnings to High-Fidelity Powerhouses

Early Days: Building a Brand from Scratch (1927-1929)

• Self-Taught Brothers Take on the Radio Market
• From Mains Power Packs to Universal Radiograms

Pioneering High-Valve Design: Bucking the Trend (Early 1930s)

• More Than Just Valves: A Commitment to Sonic Fidelity
• Modular Masterpieces: Redefining Radio Design

Embracing Innovation: Superheterodyne and Beyond (1937-1939)

• A Super Solution with a Twist: Combining Technologies
• Ether Emperor and Beyond: Pushing the Boundaries of Television

Keates-Hacker: Bespoke Luxury, Born from Collaboration (1937-1940)

• A Short-Lived Partnership: Crafting Custom-Built Receivers for Discerning Listeners

World War II: Shifting Gears for the War Effort

• From Radios to Radar: Joining the fight with critical guidance systems

Post-War Landscape: Challenges and Transitions (1950s-1960s)

• Navigating a Changing Market: Ekco Acquisition
• The End of an Era: Dynatron's Legacy Endures

Ekco and Pye: Intertwined Paths in a Changing Industry (1967- 1980)

• Ekco: A Brief Convergence and New Directions
• Joint Venture with Pye: Seeking Strength in Numbers
• Absorption by Philips: The End of an Independent Ekco
• Pye: A Legacy of Innovation and Transformation

Philips: The Final Chapter and a New Era (1981)

• Philips sold Dynatron to Roberts Radio

Detailed History

In 1927, self-taught brothers Ronald Harry Hacker (1908-1984) and Arthur George Hacker (1910-1981) started their own radio manufacturing company in Maidenhead. Operating from a room above their father's grocery shop, they utilized his name, H. Hacker, to launch their brand. They began by producing mains power packs and coils under the brand name Perfecta, quickly establishing themselves in the burgeoning radio market. [1][2]

1928 saw the release of their U53 universal powered radiogram and U31 radio, both employing the TRF (Tuned Radio Frequency) principle. They remained committed to this design until 1937, despite the growing popularity of superheterodyne receivers. While the superheterodyne offered a simpler construction, the brothers believed its reliance on higher frequencies introduced unwanted whistles, compromising audio quality. This unwavering dedication to sonic fidelity led them to delay their own foray into superheterodyne technology for a decade, ultimately resulting in the development of their own unique and highly regarded superheterodyne design in 1937.

In 1929 they moved to a small factory in Ray Lea Road, Maidenhead, and named their factory Perfecta Works. [3]

While most manufacturers in the early 1930s focused on affordable 3- or 4-valve sets, Dynatron stood apart by crafting radios teeming with valves, some boasting up to 17. They fiercely advocated for single-section valves, eschewing the common practice of multi-section valves that crammed multiple functions into one compact package. This commitment to dedicated valves and a modular approach, possibly influenced by their U53 model with alternative plug-in power supplies, resulted in radios unlike any other. Dynatron Radio's distinctive cabinets housed separate chassis for tuners, amplifiers, and power supplies, a bold departure from the integrated design prevailing at the time.

In 1936 they changed the name to Dynatron Radio.

Their first superheterodyne, a combined superhet/TRF circuit, was described in Wireless Weekly in August 1937.

The article highlighted an interesting compromise by Dynatron, a firm previously entrenched in the "straight" (TRF) principle. To combine exceptional long-distance reception with high-quality sound reproduction, Dynatron sets now switch functions. They operate as conventional TRF circuits for local reception, seamlessly transitioning to superheterodyne mode for distant stations. The most ambitious example is a 17-valve radiogramophone boasting 14 tuned circuits. It feeds an external Voigt speaker via a 15-watt output stage with variable selectivity. [4]

Keates-Hacker: Bespoke Luxury, Born from Collaboration

In October 1937, a collaboration brought forth a new force in luxury radio: Keates-Hacker Co. Ltd. Formed by the merging of Keates and Co. (Radio), Ltd. and the Hacker brothers, this venture aimed to cater to discerning listeners with handcrafted, "custom-built" receivers. Their foundation was a powerful 18-valve Dynatron chassis, boasting the latest technology. Each bespoke cabinet was created to the individual specifications of the client, ensuring a truly unique listening experience. A prestigious Voigt loudspeaker was standard equipment, complementing the exceptional sound quality. To guarantee peace of mind, every set came with a set of spare valves and a five-year guarantee. [5]

Their final offering, released in 1940, was a stunning statement piece. Faced in a peach-tinted mirror and incorporating a clock and a record cutter, it embodied the pinnacle of Keates-Hacker's luxury. However, amidst challenging market conditions leading up to World War II, the Hacker brothers bought out the other directors and rebooted the company as Hacker Radio Ltd. in 1941, a name they would later resurrect in 1959.

Television

By 1938, with the dawn of television, Dynatron rose to the challenge. In collaboration with the Baird Television Company, they unveiled the Ether Emperor, a groundbreaking combined television and radiogram housing a whopping 35 valves and priced at a luxurious 165 guineas. The more budget-conscious Falcon, retailing at 69 guineas, offered another television option. But Dynatron's ambition didn't stop there. In August 1939, they outdid themselves with the Ether Emperor IV, Model 4518, boasting a remarkable 45 valves. This all-wave receiver featured an automatic record changer and integrated television, marking a pinnacle of innovation.
 

World War II: 

World War II saw Dynatron pivot towards wartime production, making significant contributions to the Royal Air Force. Joining forces with Murphy Radio, they manufactured essential airborne guidance systems, most notably the Rebecca transponding radar system. [6] Dynatron also collaborated with Cossor to develop the Gee radio navigation system, further bolstering RAF capabilities.

Post-war Period

The post-war period presented challenges due to a difficult market and material shortages. In 1954, Ekco acquired Dynatron, but the Hacker brothers remained at the helm as joint managing directors. However, in 1959, their paths diverged as they left Ekco and revived the dormant Hacker Radio Ltd. name from 1941.

Meanwhile, Ekco's story continued through a series of mergers. In December 1960, they joined forces with Pye, only to be absorbed by Philips in 1967. By 1981, Philips' ownership of Dynatron came to an end with its sale to Roberts Radio. [7]

[1] Wireless World Dec 7, 1927, Page 34.
[2] Modern Wireless Apr 1928, Page 464.
[3] Wireless World Sep 23, 1931, Page 349.
[4] Wireless World Aug 20, 1937, Page 161.
[5] Wireless World Oct 1, 1937, Page 335.
[6] Radar Development to 1945, IEE, Chapter 22.
[7] Hacker Radio, Dixon-Nutall/Bussey, Geoffrey/Gordon (1993) ISBN 0-9522197-0-0.