OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Company Histories PLATYPUS: 1946-1956 - Who Were They?

The Platypus Tool Company produced a range of reel mowers (electric & petrol) in
Sydney from 1946 to the mid 1950s, possibly later. their registered office was at the
infamous Wingello House, Angel Place, in the heart of Sydney�s CBD.

I say �infamous� because Wingello House (now demolished) is a story in itself.
It once housed some of the most radical (far Right) political organisations in Australia,
including the notorious New Guard. ODK members will probably know the name Francis de Groot,
an antique dealer, who became involved with the New Guard and won notoriety by cutting the ribbon
at the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, 19 March 1932, in advance of the official party as a
protest against the then Premier Jack Lang -- The dictionary of famous Australians.

That was over a decade before Platypus set up office in this building in the CBD.
However, the first factory was at 17 Reservoir Street (near Central Railway Station), then
Porter Street, Ryde, Sydney, and by the early 1950s they moved shop to Anzac Avenue, Ryde, Sydney.

Platypus sometimes stated in their ads that they were, "the first electric lawnmower to be
manufactured in Australia". Clearly, that's puffery. Scott Bonnar preceded them with Australian
reel electrics by almost two decades.

Nonetheless, the Platypus was a solid conventional design with a couple of unique features.
Below I present the first advertisement I have from May, 1946; then March, 1949; then August, 1953.