A. C. Cossor

of Highbury Grove, London, N5

• 1859 The company was established by Alfred Charles Cossor in Clerkenwell to manufacture scientific glassware.

• 1875 His eldest son, also called Alfred Charles Cossor joined the company, and he founded the A. C. Cossor electronics company.

• The companies expertise in the manufacture of electrical glassware such as early cathode ray tubes and X-Ray tubes, led the company to diversify into electronics.

• 1885 The younger son Frank Cossor joined the company, and eventually took over the running of the original scientific glassware company which remains to this day as Accoson, a manufacturer of sphygmomanometers.

• In 1902 the company produced the first British made Braun tube

• 1904 Experimental valves are produced by Cossor for Ambrose Fleming

• 1908 A. C. Cossor leaves his father's business to found his own company.
• During the first world war the company produces valves for the war effort including large numbers of type R valves, a generic valve design produced by several other companies.
• In 1918 the company moved to Highbury, London, to a factory called the "Aberdeen Works". The office building which was called Cossor House, is still standing and now forms part of London Metropolitan University campus. Many of the buildings interior art deco furnishings remain untouched.
• After WWI the company produces its first radio sets in kit form.
• 1924 Cossor introduce the first British valves to incorporate an oxide coated filament.
• 1927 Company launches its famous "Melody Maker" radio set.
• 1930 First British RF pentode valve was made by Cossor.
• 1932 Company introduces its first cathode ray oscilloscope.
• 1935 Cossor cathode ray tube is used in the Daventry Experiment for radar research, conducted using the BBC transmitter at Daventry.
• 1936 Company sells its first television receiver.
• 1937 Receivers for the Chain Home primary radar system, the worlds first radar air defence system, are built by Cossor.
• Cossor remains pre-eminent in the development of the cathode ray oscilloscope with the introduction of a dual beam version of the instrument.
• 1938 Cossor becomes a public limited company.
• 1939 The company switches to war production.
• Cossor becomes involved in the early development of airborne IFF radar.

• 1945 Secondary radar for air traffic control becomes a key area of development for Cossor.
• 1945 The companies valve business becomes a subsidiary Electronic Tubes Ltd.
• Cossor withdraws from valve manufacture.
• 1949 EMI acquire control of Cossor.
• 1958 Cossor sells its radio and television business to Philips
• 1958 Company moves to Harlow, Essex
• 1961 Cossor is acquired by Raytheon

• 1929 Advert for Radio Receiving Valves. Also as makers of H. T. Eliminators; Trickle Chargers; L. F. Transformers; Loud Speakers; Motor Bulbs. (Wireless)

Sources of Information

• 1929 British Industries Fair Advert 228
• [1] Wikipedia