Grace's Guide To British Industrial History

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Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 167,818 pages of information and 247,161 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.

Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 147,919 pages of information and 233,587 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.

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[[image:Im1938BIF-Simplex.jpg|thumb| 1938. ]]
[[image:Im1938BIF-Simplex.jpg|thumb| 1938. ]]
[[image: Im1945Benn-Simplex5.jpg|thumb|1945]]
[[image:Simplex Conduit 1945CB.jpg|thumb| April 1945. ]]
[[Image:Im1947MHI-Simplex.jpg|thumb| 1947. From Modern Homes Illustrated.]]
[[image:Simplex Electric Co 1945DS.jpg|thumb|August 1945. ]]
[[Image:Creda6.jpg|thumb|right|1951]]
[[image:Simplex Conduit 1945EB.jpg|thumb| October 1945. ]]
[[Image:Im19530613Pic-Simplex.jpg|thumb| 1953. From Picture Post magazine of 13th June.]]
[[image: Im1945Benn-Simplex5.jpg|thumb| 1945. ]]
[[image:ImILN12211946 020.jpg |thumb| 1946. ]]
[[Image:Im1947MHI-Simplex.jpg|thumb| 1947. ]]
 
[[Image:Creda6.jpg|thumb|right| 1951. ]]
[[Image:Im19530613Pic-Simplex.jpg|thumb| June 1953. ]]
[[Image:Im195309ERT-Lund.jpg|thumb| September 1953. Lundberg Switches.]]
 
[[Image:Im196802GHK-Creda.jpg|thumb| February 1968. [[Wrighton]] and the [[Simplex Electric Co]]. ]]


of Empire House, 159 Great Charles Street, Birmingham, 3.  Telephone: CENtral 7777.  Telegraphic Address: "Empirical, Birmingham". (1937)
of Empire House, 159 Great Charles Street, Birmingham, 3.  Telephone: CENtral 7777.  Telegraphic Address: "Empirical, Birmingham". (1937)
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'Credenda' Works in Oldbury, Worcestershire; 'Simplex' Works in Garrison Lane, Birmingham.
'Credenda' Works in Oldbury, Worcestershire; 'Simplex' Works in Garrison Lane, Birmingham.


* 1898 Simplex Conduit Company formed, later renamed [[Credenda Conduit Co]] and then [[Creda]].
1919 [[Tube Investments]] was registered  as a public company combining the seamless steel tube manufacturing companies of [[Tubes| Tubes Limited]], [[Credenda Conduits Co]], [[Star Tube Co]] and [[St. Helen's Tube and Metal]], as well as [[Simplex Conduits]] Ltd<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tube_Investments] Wikipedia</ref><ref>The Times, 14 February 1961</ref>.
 
1932 Recognising the scope for improvement in the management of its electrical subsidiaries, Tube Investments formed a new organisation that would be responsible for the manufacture and sale of electrical products<ref>The Times, 6 December 1932</ref>.  Simplex Conduits merged with Credenda Conduit Co to form [[Simplex Electric Co]] which began to manufacture [[Creda]] domestic cooking appliances in addition to lighting equipment and conduits<ref> Material relating to Simplex Electric Company Ltd  [http://archives.theiet.org/WWWOPAC2.EXE?DATABASE=catalo%3Egroups&LANGUAGE=0&BRIEFADAPL=wwwallbr&DETAILADAPL=wwwall&%250=600000078&LIMIT=50&FROM=group]</ref>.
 
1933 Creda electric cooker with oven. With a cast metal hotplate-griller and a red-ring hotplate (later addition). One of the early electric cookers to be fitted with a Credastat automatic oven thermostat - patented by the Credenda Conduit Co Ltd, Birmingham 1931.  Whole cooker enamelled in mottled pale grey, made by [[Simplex Electric Co]] Ltd, of Birmingham.  Used daily in the donor's home from 1934 to 1967. Credastat was an optional extra on Creda cookers at this time. Inscription on oven door: ''Creda/BRITAINS BEST/ELECTRIC''. ''Made by [[Simplex Electric Co]] - Birmingham''<ref>Science and Society Picture Library: [http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10240449&wwwflag=2&imagepos=7]</ref>
 
1937 British Industries Fair Advert for 'Creda' Electric Cookers; Fires; Water Heaters; Tubular Heaters; Wash Boilers; Irons; Kettles; Toasters; canteen Equipment, etc. and 'Simplex' Electrical Installation Equipment, comprising Conduits, Fittings, Switchgear, Industrial Lighting Equipment, Flameproof Lanterns, Floodlights, [[Mersey Cable Works|Mersey Cables]]. (Electricity: Industrial and Domestic Section - Stand Nos. Cb515 and Cb.414) <ref>[[1937 British Industries Fair]] p582; and p413</ref>
 
1938 Member of [[Association of Steel Conduit Manufacturers (ASCM)]]
 
1961 Patent - Improvements in and relating to electric immersion water heaters. <ref>[http://www.wikipatents.com/gb/0916086.html] Wikipatents</ref>
 
1962 Patent - Improvements in and relating to electric switchboards. <ref>[http://www.wikipatents.com/gb/0992946.html] Wikipatents</ref>


* 1933 Creda electric cooker with oven. With a cast metal hotplate-griller and a red-ring hotplate (later addition). One of the early electric cookers to be fitted with a Credastat automatic oven thermostat - patented by the Credenda Conduit Co. Ltd. of Birmingham, 1931. Whole cooker enamelled in mottled pale grey, by Simplex Electric Co. ltd, Birmingham. Used daily in donor's home from 1934 to 1967. Credastat was optional extra on Creda cookers at this time. Inscription on oven door: Creda/BRITAINS BEST/ELECTRIC. Made by Simplex Electric Co. - Birmingham. <ref>[http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10240449&wwwflag=2&imagepos=7] Science and Society Picture Library</ref>
1965 [[Simplex Electric Co]] was fully owned by [[Tube Investments]] until 1965 <ref> Material relating to Simplex Electric Company Ltd [http://archives.theiet.org/WWWOPAC2.EXE?DATABASE=catalo%3Egroups&LANGUAGE=0&BRIEFADAPL=wwwallbr&DETAILADAPL=wwwall&%250=600000078&LIMIT=50&FROM=group]</ref> when it was put into a JV with [[General Electric Co|General Electric]] of USA.


* 1937 British Industries Fair Advert for 'Creda' Electric Cookers; Fires; Water Heaters; Tubular Heaters; Wash Boilers; Irons; Kettles; Toasters; canteen Equipment, etc. and 'Simplex' Electrical Installation Equipment, comprising Conduits, Fittings, Switchgear, Industrial Lighting Equipment, Flameproof Lanterns, Floodlights, Mersey Cables. (Electricity: Industrial and Domestic Section - Stand Nos. Cb515 and Cb.414) <ref>[[1937 British Industries Fair]] p582; and p413</ref>
1967 The original company name, Simplex Steel Conduit Co, had been brought back into use for electrical conduit.


* 1951 Advert on this page for ''Creda'' cookers. <ref>[http://www.historyworld.co.uk/index.php] History World</ref>
1970 Tube Investments acquired [[Alexander Dunn]] of Glasgow, pioneers of ''Electricaire'' heating systems; [[Simplex Electric Co]] was said to be market leader in this field<ref>The Times Nov. 12, 1970</ref>


* 1961 Patent - Improvements in and relating to electric immersion water heaters. <ref>[http://www.wikipatents.com/gb/0916086.html] Wikipatents</ref>
1972 Simplex Electric, subsidiary of Tube Investments, acquired [[Clang]]<ref>The Times Oct. 6, 1972</ref>


* 1962 Patent - Improvements in and relating to electric switchboards. <ref>[http://www.wikipatents.com/gb/0992946.html] Wikipatents</ref>
1979 GE acquired the whole of its JV with TI in the industrial electrical business.


* Became a subsidiary of [[Tube Investments]].
==See Also==
<what-links-here/>


== Sources of Information ==
== Sources of Information ==
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<references/>
<references/>


[[Category: Town - Birmingham]]
[[Category: Lamps and Lighting]]
[[Category:Domestic Appliances]]
[[Category:Domestic Appliances]]
[[Category: Electrical Engineering - Heavy]]
[[category: Metal Products]]

Latest revision as of 12:08, 12 February 2025

1938.
April 1945.
August 1945.
October 1945.
1945.
1946.
1947.
1951.
June 1953.
September 1953. Lundberg Switches.
February 1968. Wrighton and the Simplex Electric Co.

of Empire House, 159 Great Charles Street, Birmingham, 3. Telephone: CENtral 7777. Telegraphic Address: "Empirical, Birmingham". (1937)

'Credenda' Works in Oldbury, Worcestershire; 'Simplex' Works in Garrison Lane, Birmingham.

1919 Tube Investments was registered as a public company combining the seamless steel tube manufacturing companies of Tubes Limited, Credenda Conduits Co, Star Tube Co and St. Helen's Tube and Metal, as well as Simplex Conduits Ltd[1][2].

1932 Recognising the scope for improvement in the management of its electrical subsidiaries, Tube Investments formed a new organisation that would be responsible for the manufacture and sale of electrical products[3]. Simplex Conduits merged with Credenda Conduit Co to form Simplex Electric Co which began to manufacture Creda domestic cooking appliances in addition to lighting equipment and conduits[4].

1933 Creda electric cooker with oven. With a cast metal hotplate-griller and a red-ring hotplate (later addition). One of the early electric cookers to be fitted with a Credastat automatic oven thermostat - patented by the Credenda Conduit Co Ltd, Birmingham 1931. Whole cooker enamelled in mottled pale grey, made by Simplex Electric Co Ltd, of Birmingham. Used daily in the donor's home from 1934 to 1967. Credastat was an optional extra on Creda cookers at this time. Inscription on oven door: Creda/BRITAINS BEST/ELECTRIC. Made by Simplex Electric Co - Birmingham[5]

1937 British Industries Fair Advert for 'Creda' Electric Cookers; Fires; Water Heaters; Tubular Heaters; Wash Boilers; Irons; Kettles; Toasters; canteen Equipment, etc. and 'Simplex' Electrical Installation Equipment, comprising Conduits, Fittings, Switchgear, Industrial Lighting Equipment, Flameproof Lanterns, Floodlights, Mersey Cables. (Electricity: Industrial and Domestic Section - Stand Nos. Cb515 and Cb.414) [6]

1938 Member of Association of Steel Conduit Manufacturers (ASCM)

1961 Patent - Improvements in and relating to electric immersion water heaters. [7]

1962 Patent - Improvements in and relating to electric switchboards. [8]

1965 Simplex Electric Co was fully owned by Tube Investments until 1965 [9] when it was put into a JV with General Electric of USA.

1967 The original company name, Simplex Steel Conduit Co, had been brought back into use for electrical conduit.

1970 Tube Investments acquired Alexander Dunn of Glasgow, pioneers of Electricaire heating systems; Simplex Electric Co was said to be market leader in this field[10]

1972 Simplex Electric, subsidiary of Tube Investments, acquired Clang[11]

1979 GE acquired the whole of its JV with TI in the industrial electrical business.

See Also

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Sources of Information

  • [7] Light Bulbs
  1. ↑ [1] Wikipedia
  2. ↑ The Times, 14 February 1961
  3. ↑ The Times, 6 December 1932
  4. ↑ Material relating to Simplex Electric Company Ltd [2]
  5. ↑ Science and Society Picture Library: [3]
  6. ↑ 1937 British Industries Fair p582; and p413
  7. ↑ [4] Wikipatents
  8. ↑ [5] Wikipatents
  9. ↑ Material relating to Simplex Electric Company Ltd [6]
  10. ↑ The Times Nov. 12, 1970
  11. ↑ The Times Oct. 6, 1972
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