Geloso tape recorders had a long history in Italy and surprisingly were distributed in the South American market, which is rare. With this long history and their collaboration with Castelli, it is also surprising that they never attempted to produce tape recorders for the high Fidelity market, typically dictation and lower end consumer machines. They continued using tubes late into the 60s, which is also unusual. But based on interesting exterior design, they are a collectible machine.
The history…
John Geloso was born in Argentina January 10th 1901, where his Italian parents had temporarily moved from Italy. The family moved back to Savona Italy in 1904, where John studied at the nautical school. In 1920 he went to the U.S. and began working for Pilot Electric Manufacturing in New York while attending Copper Square University. After graduation in 1925 he was appointed chief engineer by the Pilot president who realized his potential. In 1928, he helped develop some of the first experimental television broadcasts, demonstrating the feasibility of television, previously considered a distant possibility.
In 1931, at age 27, he returned to Milano, Italy to set up his own business.
The first Geloso radio, model G.50 was produced in 1932 with five tubes, 2 RF amplifiers and a power amplifier.
In 1934 the Geloso factory moved from its first location, Via Sebenico 7 to a new site at Via Brenta 18, still in Milan and in 1939 to a larger, 17,000 m² plant in via Brenta 29.
By the mid 30s, John Geloso S.A. was a significant consumer electronics and component manufacturer making capacitors, potentiometers, transformers and switches.
Given its expertise in radio technology and electronic components, it is likely that the company contributed to wartime communications and electronics, as many manufacturers in the industry did at the time.
Milan was heavily bombed during World War II, particularly in 1942 and 1943. The bombings targeted industrial areas, including factories producing electronics and machinery. While specific details about the Geloso factory are scarce, it is likely that it experienced disruptions or damage due to the widespread destruction in Milan.
After WWII, Geloso further expanded the production of components -electrolytic capacitors, microphones, piezo pick-ups, pre-adjusted receiver RF groups, IF transformers, etc. as well as radios, amplifiers, tape recorders and turntables.
Wire tape recorders were added to the product line in 1949 when Geloso began collaborating with Magnetofoni Castelli.
The first wire tape recorder, the Geloso G 239 was designed to be integrated into large phonograph consoles. This was followed by the G 240 in 1950, which led to a specialized version (RM 180) developed for RAI, Italy’s national broadcasting company. The Wire recorders made were G 239, G 240, G 241 and G 242
In 1952, Geloso and Castelli introduced magnetic tape recorders with a recording speed of 19 cm/s and larger reels capable of 30 minutes per side. The G252 was specially developed to meet the request of a special client… the Vatican.
The fortunes of the Geloso company were very much linked to the needs of the Vatican. Geloso equipment was in many cases purpose-built for the church. As a result, there were Geloso systems in every church in Italy, great PR since 99% of Italians were catholic and went to church regularly in those days. And, of course, what was good enough for the “church” was good enough for the churchgoers!
High-Fidelity wasn’t such a big issue as was the need to sell a lot of recorders and spread them all over the country, however they needed a machine that would be very reliable, robust enough to survive being operated by many different people, most of whom had never seen a recorder before!
The best selling Geloso tape recorder was mod. G.255, introduced in 1957. Most Italian families owned one of these.
Other important products Geloso made were amplifiers and TVs.
By the late 1960s, after the G. 570 was released, tensions arose between the two companies due to economic disagreements. Magnetofoni Castelli eventually started producing tape recorders under its own brand, leading to the dissolution of their partnership after nearly 20 years.
John Geloso passed away in 1972. His company, Geloso S.p.A., also ceased operations that same year due to foreign competition and financial difficulties.
Italian website dedicated to Geloso
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