Auto Electric Devices Ltd.
Diamond Works, Brighton, Sussex (1928 -1931

Bowyer-Lowe & A.E.D., Ltd.
Diamond Works, Coombe Road, Brighton (1932 - 1938)

Brand: A.E.D.

In 1928, Auto Electric Devices (A.E.D.) launched with a self-winding gramophone motor. Their shareholder meeting reveals a modest initial investment and focus on patenting the invention. Despite delays attributed to improvement, the motor wasn't a major focus by 1931. AED showcased successful pick-up designs and variable resistance controls then.

The company however went into liquidation by December 1931. Reasons likely included technical hurdles, market resistance, or financial difficulties. A successor company, Bowyer-Lowe & AED, emerged briefly but also met its demise in 1938.

AED's legacy lies in its innovative designs, though its lifespan as a company was short-lived.

Unveiling the Story of Auto Electric Devices Ltd. (1928-1931):

From Shareholder Meeting to Short-Lived Innovation

Auto Electric Devices Ltd. (AED), a company brimming with promise and technical ambition, emerged in July 1928. [1]
Their statutory meeting, a mandatory gathering for newly formed public companies in Britain, offers a fascinating window into their early days and the challenges they faced. [2]

A Self-Winding Gamble: The July 1928 Meeting

• Capital Structure and Innovation: The Chairman, Mr. Lewis Gordon, reveals AED's £50,000 capital divided into 1s shares. This low denomination, often associated with risky ventures, reflects the gamble investors were taking on a new invention – the self-winding gramophone motor. Gordon emphasizes that a patent application for the motor was underway, highlighting their commitment to protecting their core technology.
• Acquisition and Cash Flow: He details how 700,000 shares were issued, with 120,000 allotted to acquire the J. & C. Manufacturing Company Ltd., the likely source of the self-winding motor technology. The remaining shares raised £29,000 in cash, leaving a balance of approximately £28,909 for working capital. This suggests a modest initial investment from shareholders.
• Production Delays and Optimism: Gordon acknowledges delays in getting into production but justifies them by improvements made by the Managing Director, Mr. Johnson. While admitting "disappointments," he assures shareholders that these delays will ultimately benefit the product's efficiency and manufacturability.
• Market Potential and Shareholder Outreach: The Chairman expresses confidence in the market for a self-winding gramophone motor. He envisions a future where AED shareholders, numbering around 100, will readily adopt the technology for their gramophones and recommend it to others. This outreach strategy suggests a desire to cultivate a loyal customer base among early investors.
• Addressing Concerns: Recognizing the potential scepticism surrounding 1s shares, Gordon defends AED's capital structure. He justifies the low denomination by citing the inherent risks and possibilities associated with developing a new invention. He also stresses the importance of having a large shareholder base, which can be an asset for a young company.
• Transparency and Demonstration: The meeting concludes with a demonstration of the self-winding motor by Mr. Johnson, aimed at bolstering shareholder confidence in the product and its functionality.

Beyond the Meeting: A Glimpse into AED's Trajectory (1930-1931)

1930: Details of the self-winding motor are published in "Amateur Wireless," showcasing its automatic winding mechanism and its ability to overcome the limitations of existing electric and clockwork motors.

• March 1931: A report in "Wireless World" highlights AED's innovative pick-up design, emphasizing its unique magnetic circuit and minimal record wear.
• May 1931: An advertisement in a trade publication praises their A.E.D. Variable Resistance, lauded for its smooth operation and high current capacity.
• October 1931 Olympia Exhibition: Despite initial focus on the self-winding motor, AED showcases their pick-up and volume control at the exhibition, suggesting the motor may not have achieved the anticipated success. Both components receive positive reviews for design and performance.

A Sudden Demise (December 1931):

Despite these promising developments, AED went into voluntary liquidation in December 1931. [4] The reasons remain unclear, but possibilities include:

• Technical Challenges: Difficulties in mass-producing the self-winding motor or unforeseen technical hurdles could have hindered their progress.
• Market Acceptance: The market may not have been receptive to the self-winding technology, or the price point might not have been competitive.
• Financial Difficulties: Cash flow issues arising from production delays or lower-than-expected sales could have contributed to the liquidation.

A Brief Resurgence and Final Curtain (1933-1938):

• Bowyer-Lowe & A.E.D. Ltd.: This company, likely acquiring some of AED's assets, emerges shortly after and continues production of pick-ups, even introducing new models. [5] They also offer combined volume and tone control units. Previously Bowyer-Lowe’s company Recordaphones, Ltd. was liquidated in August 1930.
• November 1938: However, Bowyer-Lowe & A.E.D. Ltd. also met its demise, entering voluntary liquidation in November 1938. [6]

Legacy:
While Auto Electric Devices Ltd.'s lifespan was brief, they made a mark with their innovative self-winding gramophone motor and unique pick-up design. Their story highlights the dynamism and challenges faced by early audio equipment manufacturers.

[1] Electrical Review Jul 27, 1928, Page 162.
[2] The Saturday Review Oct 28, 1928, Page 517.
[3] Amateur Wireless Sep 27, 1930, Page 420.
[4] The London Gazette Dec 25, 1931, Page 8341.
[5] Wireless Trader Dec 1932, Page 56.
[6] The London Gazette Nov 11, 1938, Page 7138.