radiomuseum.org
Please click your language flag. Bitte Sprachflagge klicken.

History of the manufacturer  

Genalex, BGE (brand), British General Electric Co. Pty Ltd.; Sydney, NSW.

As a member you can upload pictures (but not single models please) and add text.
Both will display your name after an officer has activated your content, and will be displayed under «Further details ...» plus the text also in the forum.
Name: Genalex, BGE (brand), British General Electric Co. Pty Ltd.; Sydney, NSW.    (AUS)  
Abbreviation: british-GE
Products: Model types Brand
Summary:

British General Electric Co. Pty. Ltd.
104 Clarence St., Sydney

Brands: Genalex, BGE

Production: 1924 - 1962
History:

The British General Electric Co. started importing British made sets under the name of "Gecophone" from about 1924.

After 1930 sets were manufactured by Thom and Smith Ltd (Tasma) under the name of Genalex. Between 1956 & 1962 BGE branded products were manufactured by Standard Telephones & Cables (STC).

In 1933 the company made an agreement with Amalgamated Wireless Valve Co. Ltd. (AWV) for tubes to be made with the Osram brand. This was limited to most of the series of tubes on the market at the time and did not include octal based types. The tube boxes were marked "Made in Australia for the British General Electric Co. Ltd.", along with the Osram brand name. The agreement apparently lasted until 1940. 

The brand used for radios was changed to BGE in 1953.

This manufacturer was suggested by Peter Hughes.


Some models:
Country Year Name 1st Tube Notes
AUS  37 Mitchell (Console) BC430 EK2  See also Tasma model 430. 
AUS  39 Dapper 600 6K8G  This radio has push buttons for tuning only, no dial. 
AUS  37 BC455 CF2  Has switched variable selectivity. Same chassis as Tasma model 455. 
AUS  37 BC445 EK2  Uses same chassis as Tasma model 445. 
AUS  33 Dapper 5 Genalex 180-M 57  This radio is similar to the Tasma "Baby" model 180. The Dapper 5 180M is also called Gena... 
AUS  38/39 BC510 [Console] EK2   
AUS  37 BC415 1C4  Same chassis as Tasma model 415. 
AUS  37 Mitchell (Console) BC435 EK2  Uses switched variable selectivity. Same chassis as Tasma model 435. 
AUS  37 BC460 [Table] EK2  Also available in console cabinet. Same chassis as Tasma model 460. 
AUS  36 Glenelg BC350 CK1   
AUS  36 Lachlan BC350 CK1  This model uses the same chassis as the Tasma model 350. 
AUS  36 BC335 1C4  This model uses the same chassis as the Tasma model 335. 

[rmxhdet-en]

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

From The “Sydney Morning Herald”,(NSW), September 22, 1932.tbn_aus_bge_gecophone_ad_1923.jpg
Advertisement for Gecophone Crystal Set & Two Valve Radio. From The “Sydney Morning Herald”,(NSW), November 17, 1932.tbn_aus_bge_gecophone_ad_1923_2.jpg
From The “Sydney Morning Herald”,(NSW), April 9, 1932.tbn_aus_bge_genalex_ad_1932.jpg
Genalex car radio advert 1935tbn_bge_genalex_car_radio.png
BGE Genalex radios 1935tbn_bge_genalex_radios_1935.png
1935 BGE tubes availabletbn_1935_bge_tube_listings_fox_mac_catalogue.png
Wireless Weekly Sept. 21, 1934tbn_osram_empire_series_canada_ww21934.png
Advertised in 1938 the Winton and Raglan console cabinet styles and the Dapper table model Truth (Qld) Apr 3, 1938, Page 33. Image sourced & downloaded from Trove – National Library of Australiatbn_aus_british_ge_bc510_truth_qld_apr_3_1938_page_33.jpg
Valve made by AWV marked Osram Made in Australia for the British General Electric Co. Ltd. Photo from Fin Stewart.tbn_aus_british_ge_osram_valve_box.jpg

  

Data Compliance More Information