Garnett, Whiteley & Co., Ltd.
Lotus Works, Broadgreen Road, Liverpool (1925 - 1929)
Lotus Works, Mill Lane, Liverpool (1929 - 1931)

Lotus Radio Ltd.
Lotus Works, Mill Lane, Liverpool (1931 -1933)

Lotus Radio (1933) Ltd.
105 Judd Street Kings Cross London WC1 (1934 - 1936)

Brand: Lotus

From humble beginnings as Garnett Whiteley & Co.'s radio component brand in 1929, Lotus Radio soared. Their factory hummed with innovation, crafting portable sets, vernier dials, and even anti-microphonic valve holders. In 1931, they became Lotus Radio Ltd., showcasing their all-mains table model at the Olympia Exhibition, praised for its value and features. But financial storms brewed, leading to liquidation in 1933.

Yet, the phoenix rose! Jules Thorn and L.M. Glancy saw potential, forming Lotus Radio (1933) Ltd. and continuing the legacy. Merging with Thorn Electrical Industries in 1936, Lotus thrived, contributing to a powerhouse company. Though the brand eventually faded, its pioneering spirit and dedication to quality resonated, leaving an indelible mark on the early radio industry.

Lotus was a brand used by Garnett Whiteley and Co. for their radio components. They manufactured a wide range of products, including:

• Portable Sets
• Variable Condensers
• Vernier Dials
• Wireless Sets and Components
• Lotus Portable and Transportable Receiving Sets
• Lotus Vernier Coil Holders
• Radio Jacks and Jack Switches
• Anti-microphonic Valve Holders
• Logarithmic Condensers
• Battery Switches
• Q Coils

Factory and Name Change:

In 1929, they built a new factory dedicated to radio components in Mill Lane, Liverpool. Around 1931, the company officially changed its name to Lotus Radio Ltd.

Olympia Radio Exhibition (1931):

At the Olympia Radio Exhibition in September 1931, Lotus Radio showcased their popular all-mains, self-contained table model receiver, praised for its exceptional value at 14 guineas. The three-valve circuit employed various innovative features, including a regenerative detector linked to an AC/PI valve by a transformer, a Magnovox moving-coil loudspeaker, and Mazda valves throughout. One-dial tuning control was achieved through ganged condensers, with additional controls for volume, reaction, and wave-change. This model was available for both DC and AC mains at the same price. [1]

The company also exhibited a diverse range of components at the Olympia Radio Exhibition, including:

• A new shrouded H.F. choke for parallel tuned-grid circuits.
• Various L.F. transformers ranging in price from 5s. 6d. to 12s. 6d., some featuring an earth terminal for added safety.
• A dual-range totally screened binocular inductance unit priced at 10s. 6d., offering separate long- and short-wave windings and waveband switching.
• Ganged condenser units in response to the growing popularity of one-dial control, available in three-gang (30s.) and two-gang (20s.) options, each fully screened and offering disc or drum drive functionality.
• A universal switch with rotary, self-cleaning contacts for easy ganging, priced at 1s. 6d.
• Their well-known remote-control equipment.

Lotus products were exported to Australia & New Zealand in the late 1920s. [2]

Liquidation and Revival (1933):

In June 1933, Lotus Radio Ltd. encountered financial difficulties and entered liquidation. [2] However, the story doesn't end there.

Recognizing the brand's potential, entrepreneurs Jules Thorn (1899-1980) and L. M. Glancy formed Lotus Radio (1933) Ltd. to acquire the assets of the original company and continue the business of radio receiver manufacturing. [3]

Thorn Electrical Industries (1936):

Under Thorn and Glancy's leadership, Lotus Radio (1933) Ltd. continued to manufacture innovative and high-quality radio equipment. This success ultimately led to its integration into the flourishing Thorn Electrical Industries, formed by Jules Thorn in 1936. This move positioned Lotus Radio within a larger electrical powerhouse, allowing it to contribute to a wider range of products and benefit from greater resources. [2]

Fate of the Lotus Brand:

While information about the specific contributions of Lotus Radio after this point is limited, it is known that the brand eventually disappeared around this time. Nonetheless, their pioneering spirit and commitment to quality undoubtedly left a lasting mark on the early radio industry.

[1] Wireless World Sep 23, 1931, Page 353.
[2] Wireless Weekly (AUS) Nov 26, 1926, Page 53.
[3] Wireless World Nov 24, 1933, Page Ad 21.
[4] Hoover Handbook of World Business 1999, Page 588.