Hello ODK History Lovers

Stromberg-Carlson would have been a household name when they were at their peak in the 1920s and 1930s.
Their manufacture of just one lawnmower model in the early 1960s was really about company survival.

Apart from an initial controlling financial interest of its Parent Company, the records tell us that
Stromberg-Carlson (A'SIA) was a fully independent operation in Australia and developed many products
and engaged in commercial endeavours of its own initiative.

Initially, it was a radio company and it imported receivers from the United States.
However, it quickly started its own Australian manufacture of receivers and associated electrical
components, including loud speakers. Stromberg also made receiver components for other radio
manufacturers, including Audiola and Crosley.

The company's biggest event was probably the opening of its new factory at Bourke Road, Alexandria,
in Sydney's inner-east in 1936. Here is a 1960s photo of that factory:-

[Linked Image]

The new factory was a result of a very healthy demand for Stromberg radios and components.
Indeed, with much fanfare, the Alexandria facility was officially opened by the Prime Minister
of the day, The Right Honourable Andrew Lyons.

I reproduce an extract from an article about that opening. I do so because it is a good summary of
the protectionist policies employed by governments of the time to foster secondary industries.
It was about Nation building:-

[Linked Image]

TO BE CONTINUED ...