OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Company Histories TECNICO - Images - c1940s

Hello ODK History lovers

The Australian company Tecnico made our first rotary lawnmower.
It was electric, not petrol.

We have documented Tecnico electric and petrol lawnmowers on
this great site. But lawnmowers were just part of the Tecnico story.
Post WW11, Tecnico became a consumer products company –
radios, vacuum cleaners, polishers, lawnmowers … and then TVs
and other appliances.

Tecnico had its roots in the Eastern Trading Company established
in 1918. They had a name change to E.T.C. Industries Limited in
1937. As a side-note, ETC introduced the North American Schick
electric shaver to Australia in 1938!

But consumer products were a side-line. ETC engaged with so
much more, having activities in “radio and electrical, theatre,
medical, and Neon departments.” Amazing!



This story records images sent to me by Sandra A in 2018.
They come from Sandra’s late Uncle, Alan W, from Ashburton,
Victoria. He was a Tecnico employee.

These 1940s images appear to present Alan’s involvement in the
manufacturing or repairing of electrical components – most probably
within an aviation context.

I f you can add to this story please let us know. Do you recognise
the people or the machinery?

TO BE CONTINUED …

Gallery One - Tecnico

These images comprise Envelope 27 that Sandra sent me.
They depict Tecnico’s staff in Melbourne in the late WWII years.



The factory clearly has a roof-top area and the staff of Tecnico in
Melbourne appear there. Who are they?

Note the sophisticated testing machine in the gallery below ...
Surely It must be more than a coffee maker. Do you know what it is?

TO BE CONTINUED ...

Gallery Two – Tecnico
These images comprise a selection from Envelopes 12 and 79.
They depict Tecnico staff in Melbourne in the late WWII years.

These are fantastic images, some with exceptional composition and clarity.



I guess my favourites are staff lining-up for their wage envelopes, and
the one depicting a man with what appears to be a wiring loom jig for
a small radial aircraft engine. The ‘tea break’ image is poignant and
humbling … of simpler and uncertain times.

Gallery Three – Tecnico
These images comprise a selection from Envelopes 83 and 84.
They depict Tecnico staff in Melbourne in the late WWII years.

Again, this Melbourne facility presents as a repair or servicing facility, not
a production one. Again, unusual instruments, probably related to testing
aircraft electrical or aircraft instrument systems.

This machine, in particular, would look sensational in any modern espresso
bar. I wonder what it did? ...



TO BE CONTINUED ...

GALLERY FOUR - Tecnico
These images comprise a selection from Envelopes 13, 25, 27 and 84.
They depict Tecnico’s female staff in Melbourne in the late WWII years.

It is not unexpected that the ‘technical staff’ were male and the ‘office staff’
were female in Tecnico images at this time in history. The office staff were
referred to as ‘Tecnico girls’ in the images.

This gender divide belies the reality of the Second World War.
We are more open and historically honest about gender roles nowadays.
It was just the way things were back then.

TECNICO: 1942-1959 - Who Were They?
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=51678


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