Widdis Diamond Dry Cells Pty. Ltd.
Corner Park & Wells Street, South Melbourne, Victoria.
119 Hawke Street, West Melbourne, Victoria.
Corner Dalgety Road & Millers Point, Sydney, NSW.

Brand: Diamond

Manufactured dry cell batteries and battery powered torches from 1915 to the 1950’s when they became a subsidiary of Eveready. The Diamond brand battery continued into the late 1950’s.

Early History from the Sunday Times (NSW) Oct 8, 1922, Page 45;

DIAMOND DRY CELLS

Great Industry Born of the War

Early in 1915, Mr. Charles A. Widdis, a well-known Victorian business man, decided that he would endeavour to fill the pressing needs for local production of primary cells and batteries. He rented a small factory in Windsor, just outside Melbourne, where, in cooperation with a few loyal and willing workers, he set out to capture the dry battery trade as it affected Australia; and there amid humble surroundings and at a period of the war when the outlook seemed blackest for the British Empire,

the Diamond Dry Cell was brought into being.

A Melbourne firm of motor accessory merchants, alive to the possibilities of a locally-made cell, approached one of the Government departments and was successful in securing a small trial order,

which in turn was passed on to Mr. Widdis,

This was the first business obtained by the firm, and although the results of the various stringent tests made by the officers of the Postmaster-General's Department, and the subsequent 'proof of

the pudding' were absolutely satisfactory, the public still walked warily, being hard to convince that Australia could manufacture dry cells efficiently. Diamond products, however, made good and further small orders, first of 500, and after in slightly greater numbers, were received from the Government departments, until the general excellence of the Diamond products under all conditions gave the consumers’ confidence. The people at the factory then realised that they had won for their

goods a reputation equal to the best enjoyed by foreign competitors.

When the Widdis Diamond Dry Cell Pty. Ltd., was floated those responsible were strong in the knowledge that what they had done in the past would stand to them in the future, and that the Diamond Dry Cells had justified in full the time, energy and money expended on them.

The factory, which until now rented, was purchased by Mr. C. A. Widdis, and in 1919 acquired by the company. Such has been the subsequent progress that the accommodation is now far too limited, and plans and specifications have been prepared for the erection of a large factory on land already purchased within the area of the City of Melbourne.

History;

The company was registered in March 1920.[1]

In 1926 they built a factory in Hawke Street, West Melbourne.[2] The building was later known as the Mighty Apollo Building when used as Gym from 1952 till 1992.

In 1931 they expanded the Melbourne factory and established a factory in Sydney.[3]

During 1935 they developed a process, designated P-5 in which each individual cell in a battery was insulated from its neighbours. This was achieved by sliding a spiral wound cardboard tube over the zinc outer casing and insulating the bottom of the cell with a washer. This, the company claimed prevented element leakage and consequently no premature decay in battery life.

Batteries incorporating this feature had the P5 label displayed on each end.[4]

By the early 1950’s the company became a subsidiary of Eveready (Australia) Pty. Ltd.[5]

[1] The Age (VIC) Mar 17, 1920, Page 11.
[2] The Argus (VIC), Apr 12, 1922, page 3.
[3] Radio Trade Annual, 1933, page 20.
[4] The Bulletin Aug 7, 1935, page 32.
[5] The West Australian (WA)  May 22, 1951,  Page 11.