PART SIX - the end is nigh

It would be very wrong to assume that when domestic, petrol-powered rotaries were introduced
in late 1952, that the electric rotary was finished. Electric lawnmowers - in reel and rotary
form - continued to be widely advertised and sold. It would be a few years later, in about 1956,
I guess, that it was clear to manufacturers that the petrol rotary was a serious threat, and was
here to stay. Within a decade the petrol rotary would become hegemonic and ubiquitous.

Tecnico did respond to the market by introducing its larger, wider cut, petrol Rotacuts in the
mid-1950s. These mowers would augment the electric model range, which would continue to sell.
However, time was running out for this large Marrickville firm.

By the mid-1950s Tecnico - the company - was in financial difficulty, was not paying dividends,
and was recording losses. In this climate, the UK firm Pye bought a half interest in Tecnico
in late 1955, and by the end of the decade, it would be a total takeover with the company
changing its name to Pye Industries. In this period (mid to late 1950s), the lawnmowers would be
branded Pye-Tecnico, and then simply, Pye.

There was a last hurrah - a cosmetic makeover at some point, with more modern, angular features
not to my taste. Here is a 1960 Harris Scarfe Catalogue ad, and a 1963 newsprint ad. The little
Tecnicos would be gone by the mid-1960s. I guess it's amazing they survived that long!

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

TO BE CONTINUED ...