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Kriesler Radio Company; Newtown (Sydney)

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Name: Kriesler Radio Company; Newtown (Sydney)    (AUS)  
Abbreviation: kriesler
Products: Model types
Summary:

Kriesler Radio Company
Corner Crown and Yurong lanes, Sydney NSW (1931 - 1932)
Kriesler House, 2 Levey Street, Chippindale Sydney, NSW (1932 – 1934)
Cnr. Pine, Myrtle and Beaumont Streets, Chippendale, Sydney, NSW (1934 – 1940)
43 Alice Street, Newtown, Sydney, NSW (1940 – 1960)
12-30 Cawarra Road, Caringbah, NSW (1962 - 1982)

The Kriesler Radio Company was one of Australia’s largest radio and TV manufacturers, ranked third in the late 1950’s.

Founded in 1931 and sold to Philips in the early 1950’s. Australian radio and TV production continued as a subsidiary of Philips until 1982, the Kriesler name being used until 1983.

Founded: 1931
Closed: 1983
Production: 1931 - 1982
History:

Raphael Weingott (1905 – 1981) had a commercial interest in radio from 1924, managing the Airmaster Radio Co., Sydney, later the Electric Trading Co., Inevettes Ltd. and Vocalion Ltd. [1]

In March 1931 he registered Kriesler Radio Company along with his older brother Leon.[2]

They advertised radios that incorporate the worlds latest inventions that no other set in Australia has today with the slogan “Life like tone”.[3]

Leon Weingott left the partnership in November 1931.[4]

Kriesler sold completed chassis along with valves and speakers through local Sydney companies, Prices Radio is an example.[5] They advertised the Invisible Tuning Radio in October 1931 selling direct and through distributors in all Australian states.

In July 1932, Weingott started to market kit set radios as “Meccanoized” kits. [6]
By August, Meccano Ltd., sort an injunction for Weingott to withdraw his trade-mark application. [7] In September an advert was placed in Wireless Weekly stating the Meccanoized kits would now be called Kriesler Mechanised Kits.[8]

By July 1933 Weingott was in financial trouble and filed for Liquidation of the company. [9] Kriesler was, by this time, one of the 243 registered radio manufacturers in Australia.

Percy George Tuit (1896 – 1984), who had made his money from a hosiery wholesaling business, offered to buy the Kriesler Radio Company in October 1933. [10] He also financed Wiengott for a 49% interest in the company.[16]

In November 1933, the Kriesler (Australasia), Pty. Ltd., company was registered.[11]

Production of radios increased dramatically and by July 1940 the company moved into a new 14,000 square feet, factory in Alice Street, Newtown, Sydney, just in time for production to turn to the war effort.[12]

"Kriesler made a great contribution to Australia's 1939-1945 war effort, as the special Mingay's edition commemorating the effort of the Australian radio makers will testify. After the war, Kriesler put to good use its special "put aside" advertising account and that, plus inspirational phrases from Rae Weingott, such as: "Mirrorscopic Tuning", "Triple Throat", and those "Three Little Words - Kriesler Triple Throat"; resulted in Kriesler being ranked third in Australia's radio manufacturers prior to the advent of television in Australia in 1956."[16]

Kriesler (Australasia), Pty. Ltd. changed to Kriesler Australasia Ltd., in May 1949.[13]

In the early 1950’s Tuit and Weingott sold the company to Philips Holdings as they didn’t have the resources to ramp up the company for Television production. They used Philip’s financial and technical resources to ensure continuation of work for their employees.

The company became a subsidiary of Philips with Tuit as Chairman and Weingott as a Director.[14]

A fire in February 1960 at the Alice Street factory caused £1,000,000 damage to the factory and stock. Once again showing concern for their 600 employees they stated “they will remain on full wages until the situation clarifies. The Directors felt the disaster of the fire should not bring hardship on the many fine employees of the company who cannot be replaced as bricks and mortar can.” [15].

After the fire, the company occupied various temporary premises over 9 locations before the new factory in Cawarra Road, Caringbah, NSW opened in 1962.

They manufactured radio, radiograms and large combination sets with names following on from Weingott’s early flare for inspiration names such as; Kriesler-Craftsman-Series, Kriesler-Triple-Sonic-Stereo, Kriesler-Envoy-25, Kriesler Disc-O-Tape, Kriesler-Twini to name a few.

The Caringbah - Sydney factory was closed in 1982 and the KRIESLER brand left the Australian market 31st December 1983.

Kriesler Name

An explanation as to why the company was registered as Kriesler was given by Fred Lane, a past employee in The Kriesler Story, Radio Waves, No. 38, October 1991, Page 19;

“Alec, Leo & Rae Weingott established and registered their company as KRIESLER. They did intend it to be KREISLER, involving the name of Fritz Kreisler the composer and violin virtuoso. There are two stories why it became KRIESLER and not KREISLER. The first story is that the name was incorrectly spelt on the company application registration form (unlikely). The second, is that if the name KREISLER was registered an action from some quarter would ensue (likely).”

[1] Radio Trade Annual, 1934, Page 294.
[2] Dun's Gazette (NSW) Mar 16, 1931  Page 239.
[3] The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW) Aug 1, 1931, Page 20.
[4] The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW) Nov 19, 1931,  Page 16.
[5] Wireless Weekly Dec 4, 1931, Page 2.
[6] Wireless Weekly July 8, 1932, Page 24.
[7] The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW) Aug 31, 1932, Page 7.
[8] Wireless Weekly, Sep 23, 1932, Page 34.
[9] Dun's Gazette (NSW) Jul 3, 1933, Page 16.
[10] Radio Trade Annual 1934, Page 293.
[11] Dun's Gazette (NSW) Nov 13, 1933,  Page 454.
[12] Building Vol 66, No 395, July 26, 1940, Page 39.
[13] Dun's Gazette (NSW) May 13, 1949, Page 151.
[14] Broadcast & TV Yearbook, 1958, Page 194.
[15] The Biz (NSW)  Feb 10, 1960,  Page 7.
[16] Radio Waves, No. 38, October 1991, Page 19


Some models:
Country Year Name 1st Tube Notes
AUS  56/57 121-1 6CW7  This 43 cm B&W television set tuned the 10 then standard Australian VHF channels.  Thi... 
AUS  57 17" Console 121-3 Ch= 121-1 6CW7  This 17" (43 cm) B&W television tuned the 10 then standard Australian VHF channels... 
AUS  52–56 41-5 1R5  The 4.5 volt battery is only for the dial lights. 
AUS  47 11-7A (11-7) ECH35  The speaker is mounted in the top, facing upwards and slightly angled towards the front. 
AUS  60–62 Triplex Super 8 41-22 OC170  Kriesler 41-22 "Transistor Triplex" A battery-only radio for use in the home, i... 
AUS  46–48 Beehive 11-4A Ch= 11-4 6J8G  Kriesler advertised this set & other post-war models as a "Sealed Radio". Sold... 
AUS  53–55 Duplex 11-41 6AN7  Colours available: Pearl Grey, Royal Burgundy, Pastel Blue, Daffodil, Pastel Green, Opal B... 
AUS  35 3KO6 unknown_Tube   
AUS  57–59 Super-Power Long Range Panoramic 11-71 6AN7  Colours available in Burgundy, Ivory & Charcoal/Pink. 
AUS  65–67 Mini 41-47 AF118N  The Kriesler Mini 41-47 has a rectangular dial scale, earphone jack, AF/AC type transistor... 
AUS  60 Stereophonic 11-84 6AN7  Kriesler 11-84 (11/84) Stereophonic; Disc record changer, (BSR type UA8) stereo with a re... 
AUS  59–65 Panoramic 11-81 6AN7  Colours available in Chameleon Ivory, Charcoal/Pink, Mocha/Ivory & Burgundy/Ivory. 

[rmxhdet-en]

Further details for this manufacturer by the members (rmfiorg):

[1]Early history on Raphael Weingott. Radio Trade Annual, 1934, Page 294.tbn_aus_kriesler_1_radio_trade_annual_1934_page_294.jpg
[2] Company Registered,March 1931. Dun's Gazette (NSW) Mar 16, 1931 Page 239. Image sourced & downloaded from Trove – National Library of Australiatbn_aus_kriesler_2_dun_s_gazette_nsw_mar_16_1931_page_239.jpg
[3] Advertised radios with “Life like tone”. The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW) Aug 1, 1931, Page 20. Image sourced & downloaded from Trove – National Library of Australiatbn_aus_kriesler_3_the_sydney_morning_herald_nsw_aug_1_1931_page_20.jpg
[4] Leon Weingott left the partnership in November 1931. The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW) Nov 19, 1931, Page 16. Image sourced & downloaded from Trove – National Library of Australiatbn_aus_kriesler_4_the_sydney_morning_herald_nsw_nov_19_1931_page_16.jpg
[5] Kriesler sold completed chassis along with valves and speakers. Wireless Weekly Dec 4, 1931, Page 2. Image sourced & downloaded from Trove – National Library of Australiatbn_aus_kriesler_5_wireless_weekly_dec_4_1931_page_2.jpg
[6] Meccanoized” kits. Wireless Weekly July 8, 1932, Page 24. Image sourced & downloaded from Trove – National Library of Australiatbn_aus_kriesler_6_wireless_weekly_july_8_1932_page_24.jpg
[7] Meccano Ltd., sort an injunction. The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW) Aug 31, 1932, Page 7. Image sourced & downloaded from Trove – National Library of Australiatbn_aus_kriesler_7_the_sydney_morning_herald_nsw_aug_31_1932_page_7.jpg
[8] Meccanoized kits would now be called Kriesler Mechanised Kits. Wireless Weekly, Sep 23, 1932, Page 34. Image sourced & downloaded from Trove – National Library of Australiatbn_aus_kriesler_8_wireless_weekly_sep_23_1932_page_34.jpg
[9] 1933, Liquidation of the company. Dun's Gazette (NSW) Jul 3, 1933, Page 16. Image sourced & downloaded from Trove – National Library of Australiatbn_aus_kriesler_9_dun_s_gazette_nsw_jul_3_1933_page_16.jpg
[10] Tuit bought the Kriesler Radio Company in October 1933. Radio Trade Annual 1934, Page 293.tbn_aus_kriesler_10_radio_trade_annual_1934_page_293.jpg
[11] Kriesler (Australasia), Pty. Ltd., company registered. Dun's Gazette (NSW) Nov 13, 1933, Page 454. Image sourced & downloaded from Trove – National Library of Australiatbn_aus_kriesler_11_dun_s_gazette_nsw_nov_13_1933_page_454.jpg
[12] New factory in Alice Street, Newtown. Building Vol 66, No 395, July 26, 1940, Page 39. Image sourced & downloaded from Trove – National Library of Australiatbn_aus_kriesler_12_building_vol_66_no_395_july_26_1940_page_39.jpg
[13] Name changed to Kriesler Australasia Ltd., in May 1949. Dun's Gazette (NSW) May 13, 1949, Page 151. Image sourced & downloaded from Trove – National Library of Australiatbn_aus_kriesler_13_dun_s_gazette_nsw_may_13_1949_page_151.jpg
[14] Subsidiary of Philips with Tuit as Chairman and Weingott as a Director. Broadcast & TV Yearbook, 1958, Page 194.tbn_aus_kriesler_14_broadcast_tv_yearbook_1958_page_194.jpg
[15] Alice Street factory fire. The Biz (NSW) Feb 10, 1960, Page 7. Image sourced & downloaded from Trove – National Library of Australiatbn_aus_kriesler_15_the_biz_nsw_feb_10_1960_page_7.jpg
Mr Percy Tuit visits Perth Western Australia. From the Sunday Times, (WA), may 17, 1936. Image sourced & downloaded from Trove – National Library of Australiatbn_aus_kriesler_tuit_1936.jpg
Kriesler factory 1935. Corner of Pine & Myrtle streets, Chippendale, Sydney. Building still stands.tbn_kriesler_factory_chippendale.jpg
Kriesler advertisement from The Australian Women's Weekly, Wednesday 24 June 1981, page 116. Image sourced & downloaded from Trove – National Library of Australiatbn_aus_kriesler_ad_1981.jpg
Logo in ~1965. Thanks for Mr.Sik Béla, Hungary, Budapest and Első Zalai Rádiómúzeum Alapítvány, First Zala County Radio Museum Foundation.tbn_aus_kriesler_logo.jpg
Kriesler's sold in Western Australia by "The Bird for Wireless" From the Sunday Times, (WA), May 24, 1935. Image sourced & downloaded from Trove – National Library of Australiatbn_aus_kriesler_ad_1935.jpg
Kriesler advertisement from the “Australian Telecommunications at War” edition of the Radio & Electrical Retailer, May 2, 1946 listing products manufactured for the war effort.tbn_aus_kriesler_at_war_ad_1946.jpg
" PROJECTOGRAPHIC" dial description from Wireless Weekly, February 23, 1939, page 23. Image sourced & downloaded from Trove – National Library of Australiatbn_aus_kriesler_wireless_weekly_feb_24_1939_page_23.jpg

Forum contributions about this manufacturer/brand
Kriesler Radio Company; Newtown (Sydney)
Threads: 1 | Posts: 3
Hits: 3874     Replies: 2
Identifying an Australian Kriesler Radio
Wolfgang Scheida
08.Sep.08
  1

Dear Australian radio collectors,

on the enclosed pics you will see my emigrated great-uncle Mr. Egon Herndl in approximately 1960 in Melbourne - Australia († 1960).

Australia Melbourne - Egon Herndl 1960 with a Kriesler Radio

Kriesler radio in detail: Australia Kriesler Radio approx. 1960

It seems that he used two radios. A Kriesler Radio/Phono combination as well as an unknown portable style radio. 

Australia Melbourne - Sydney / Mr. Egon Herndl with an unknown portable radio

 

Australia unknown portable radio

If you knowing this radios or even my great-uncle Egon Herndl too please do not hesitate to send me an email.

Thanks

8/2008 W. Scheida Austria/Europe   

 

 

Peter Hughes
22.Sep.19
  2

Hi Wolfgang

This looks like a very sad story.

Did you ever receive any help with identifying the radio?

The portable radio looks like a Philips 

mfg

Peter

Wim Perl
05.Dec.19
  3

Hello Wolfgang,
This appears to be a Kriesler 'Carry-Gram' model 11-75.  Model info can be found on RM here

Hope this is what you were looking for.  I'll see if I can ID the portable radio for you with further investigation.

best regards,
Wim Perl

 
Kriesler Radio Company; Newtown (Sydney)
End of forum contributions about this manufacturer/brand

  

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