Budapesti Rádiótechnikai Gyár Reel to Reel Tape Recorders

Budapesti Rádiótechnikai Gyár or BRG (Budapest Radio Technology Factory) was established on January 1, 1956. However a period of formation began in 1953 with a certain Red Spark Factory (translation)  that in 1954 produced two tape recorders, amongst other things, the M1 and the M2, a first for the company and the first tape recorder made in Hungary.

1955 – The FM-10, First dispatcher radio telephone, a single-channel VHF transceiver, known as “tractor radio”

1957 – Company produces and sells VHF transceivers, tape recorders and marine electrical equipment.

1960 – BRG licenses tape recorder technology from an Austrian company, Stuzzi and bgins producing the MAMBÓ (M-5, M5a) in the Kecskemét factory, eventually selling 65,000 of them

1960s – BRG across various factories produces tape recorders, VHF radiotelephones and dispatcher telephones

1961 – The Kecskemét factory opens which would be the primary one for tape recorders. It is estimated that eventually over a thousand people were employed at this factory.
Production begins of the M8 Calypso a three-speed tape recorder which would be produced until late 1962.

1966-67 BRG begins producing cassette recorders

1972 – Production of magnetic heads begins at BRG’s Kecskemét plant. The company manufactured transports for Tesla in Sweden and the then SZU. Head exports were becoming significant.

1974 – The company manufactured their first stereo cassette recorder the MK-42 followed by MK-42A, and MK-43

1989 – Kecskemét Factory was closed down

1992 – 700 workers were laid off

1994 – The Lakitelk tape recorder assembly plant was liquidated.

Interesting calendars and promotional picture website