Stromberg-Carlson

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History

Stromberg-Carlson was an autonomous operation in Australia. It had little to do with its American parent, Stromberg-Carlson (Tel.Mfg.) Co., and was completely autonomous calling on it's parent for design assistance when needed.

L.P.R. Bean & Co. was formed around 1919 by Leslie Bean an Electrical Engineer who had left the Post Master Generals department of the Australian Commonwealth Government to start a company to represent Stromberg-Carlson in Australia. They imported telephone equipment and later radio receivers. In 1923 Leslie Bean established the first factory in Australia to manufacture telephone equipment in William Street Sydney and concentrated on products not made by Stromberg-Carlson in the US. This was so successful that in March 1927 the US parent entered into a partnership and formed Stromberg-Carlson (Australasia) Pty. Ltd., with Bean as Managing Director and N.S. Gilmore as Director.

The import of receivers ceased and the company began making radio components, transformers speakers etc. and complete radio sets. Their first set was called the Treasure Compact 6 and was advertised in November 1928 as being designed and manufactured wholly in Australia.

Leslie Bean was one of the founders of 2BL Sydney in 1923, and chairman of directors. 2BL was nationalised by the Federal Government in 1928  as part of the Australian Broadcasting Commision network.

During October 1936 the company moved to a new factory in Alexandria

In 1937 the U.S. parent relinquished its controlling interest, while still remaining a shareholder and providing engineering assistance, technical information and the Australian rights to all patents taken out by the American company.

Stromberg-Carlson made receivers and components both for their own receivers and sets made by other companies. Brands included their own plus Audiola and Crosley. Between 1939 and 1945 Stromberg-Carlson continued with radio manufacture, though as a much slower rate. For the duration of the war they produced telephones and telephone switchboards for the Australian Army.

Post war saw the expansion into white goods and other electrical appliances. This was also done by Astor's parent. In 1956 Stromberg-Carlson released televisions in Australia. However, they failed to make failed to make any real traction in the market, and a steady decline in the company followed.

By the mid 1960s had been wound up.

It is interesting to note that this company was a training ground for expertise in radio manufacturing in Australia. Fred Thom was a Production Engineer and John Smith was a Forman in the tool room. They left the companyin 1929 to form Thom and smith, TASMA. NS Gilmore left the company in 1931 to found Lekmek Radio.