Ferrograph Reel to Reel Tape Recorders

1918 – Founded by Joseph Wright and Thomas Weaire, started as Wright and Weaire Ltd. in London making radio components and instruments.

Post-WWII

Wright and Weaire announced their decision to retire and offered the company to Richard Merrick, Ernest Niblett, and Walter Berridge.

1945 – Production transferred from Tottenham to a bigger factory at South Shields

1947 – Merrick was introduced to Louis Fishoff who convinces Merrick to pursue tape recorder production

1948 – Weairite Deck prototype later incorporated into the first Ferrograph tape recorder that was delivered in early 1949

1949 – The British Ferrograph Recorder Company founded as a separate company marketing tape recorders, owned by Wright and Weaire

1950s – Series 4 – Model 4A introduced with two tape speeds, 3 3/4 and 7 1/2 ips

Model 4AH 7 1/2 and 15 ips.

Series 6 – half track stereo machine with 8.25 inch reels and using standard 1/4 inch tape.

1955 – Wright and Weaire goes public and acquires Ferrograph

1958 – Wright and Weaire name changed to the Ferrograph Company

1957 Ferrograph introduced patents for demagnetizing devices.

1959 – Ferrograph was absorbed by the Wilmot Breeden Group and begins making a wider range of products that includes amplifiers, radio tuners and monitor loudspeakers

1960’s – At the height of the company’s sales success, Ferrograph Patents the term “Tape Deck” as a registered trade mark

1976 – Releases Studio 8

1977 – The National Enterprise Board approached North-East Audio Ltd (NEAL) then Wilmot Breeden sold the Ferrograph company for £500k

1981 The Wilmot Breeden Group declares bankruptcy