From the early 1950s and through the 1970s, the Norwegian Company, Tandbergs Radiofabrikk, (Tandberg’s radio factory) produced some of the best domestic Hi-Fi and semi-professional tape recorders in the world. By the time they stopped tape recorder production in the mid 1980s, they had released over thirty models, sold millions of machines and could boast several ‘World-Firsts’ (read below) A brief company history Vebjorn Tandberg was born in Bodo, a small town in the northern part of Norway, in 1904. As a boy he developed an interest in radios, and later studied at a technical University. He graduated in 1930
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From the early 1950s and through the 1970s, the Norwegian Company, Tandbergs Radiofabrikk, (Tandberg’s radio factory) produced some of the best domestic Hi-Fi and semi-professional tape recorders in the world. By the time they stopped tape recorder production in the mid 1980s, they had released over thirty models, sold millions of machines and could boast several ‘World-Firsts’ (read below)
A brief company history
Vebjorn Tandberg was born in Bodo, a small town in the northern part of Norway, in 1904. As a boy he developed an interest in radios, and later studied at a technical University. He graduated in 1930 as an electronic engineer in Trondheim and founded Tandbergs Radiofabrikk in Oslo in 1933. The first radio was named “Tommeliten” and used only earphones. This was followed by the “Corona” which had a loudspeaker
In 1934 the first “Huldra” radio was launched, followed in 1936 by the “Sølvsuper”. During the early years, radios, loudspeakers and microphones comprised most of the factory’s output. The Sølvsuper and the Huldra radios became the foundation for Tandberg’s success.
A new plant at Kjelsas (in Oslo) opened in 1951 and by 1952 the production of reel to reel tape recorders had begun. During the 1950s these became a huge success for Tandberg. Their share of the Norwegian market was significant. By 1956 40,000 tape recorders had been sold in Norway and most of these were Tandbergs. Tandberg became synonymous with advanced technology at a reasonable price and was now being marketed in the USA. Television sets were introduced in 1960 and a new production facility was Opened in Kjeller in Skedsmo in 1966. Tandberg colour TVs began in 1969.
Another big Norwegian radio and TV manufacture, The Radionette company, was taken over by Tandberg in 1972. At the time of takeover there were 2000 employees which increased to 3100 by 19 76 with seven different plants. that year there was a significant economic downturn and it began a difficult time for the company which eventually went bankrupt in December 1978. In late August, Vebjorn Tandberg, sadly committed suicide at the age of 74.
Today the Tandberg company is based in Oslo, Norway and manufactures videoconferencing systems. Even though they no longer manufacture audio components, their existing products remain in use and are highly sought after by collectors. Tandberg cassette decks (such as the 3014) are considered by some to be among the best performing and most durable ever produced. Tandberg was also well-known for its FM tuners and some audiophiles consider the Model 3001A to be the best-performing tuner ever made.
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