SADARS

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27 Oct 2016 - Made in Letchworth by Brian, Andy, Don and Richard

Posted: 31 Oct 2016 12:48 PM PDT
http://www.sadars.co.uk/archives/1364




Brain, G8GHR organised a display of electronic products made in Letchworth
and his presentation included histories of Harry Grindle Matthews, Bowyer
Lowe, Foster Instruments, Scopex and radio case designs by David Ogle.

Except for Scopex and Ogle Designs, these companies were started soon after
the establishment of Letchworth Garden City in 1903. Brian detailed their
history and the men behind the products and how they fared.

Don, G4LOO told of his connection with Letchworth through his involvement
with the Power Station (opened in 1907) which at that time supplied DC
power to the factories and a few shops. Don told of the changes through the
years but didnt actually say when he started working there. Obviously not
from 1907!

There were numerous changes through the years until the large gas turbine
(installed in 1960) was finally decommissioned and the building was
demolished in 2000. That coincided with Dons retirement.

The British Tabulating Machine Co. moved to Letchworth in 1920 and Andy,
G8ATD started his apprenticeship there in 1965.Â* Andy explained the various
stages the company went through and eventually emerged as ICL.Â*Â*
Eventually, ICL was acquired by Â*Fujitsu and that was the end of the ICL
brand. Andy said it was a story of how Tabulators came to Letchworth and
left with out a trace!

Last but not least, Richard, G3NII told of forming a company with three
others in 1971 located Â*in the Spirella building (which was built at
Letchworth in three stages between 1912 and 1920) before moving to purpose
built accommodation in 1974. They started with the name Quadriga Ltd. after
the Roman chariots pulled by four horses, but Â*later settled on the name
Quadrina as it involved minimal changes to their letterhead. They
specialised in flow meters measuring gasses or liquids for industry.
Volatile gases need special handling in measurement since the volume will
vary with temperature and pressure. Â*Richard now spends time keeping their
old systems running since they perform better than modern replacements.



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