±«Óãtv

±«Óãtv R&D History: 1930s

±«Óãtv Research Department forms and moves location twice. Early research is mainly concerned with short-wave radio, the Simultaneous Broadcast system, and Television.

1930

±«Óãtv Research Department launches in April 1930

In 1930 the remaining Development section becomes the Research Department. The new department is led by H.L. Kirke, first as Senior Development Engineer and from 1936 as Head of Research Department, a position he held until 1950. It's first location is Avenue House in Clapham.

1932

Research Department moves to 74 Nightingale Lane in Balham

From nearby Avenue House, Clapham. This building was a former Jewish ±«Óãtv of Rest.

1934

Research Department moves to Nightingale Square 

This was formerly a convent and situated very close to Nightingale Lane.

Nightingale Square Balham, a rather gothic building with a tower
Nightingale Square Balham

1937

Research Department develops the first close-talking noise-cancelling ribbon microphone giving the broadcast speech, the L1

It is the predecessor of the lip mic which was developed in 1949.

A microphone and apparatus in a wooden box

1939

Many staff from department leave to join the armed forces and the war effort.

The few that remain are concerned with investigations into HF problems and developments of antennas and antenna arrays. Some worked on disc recording apparatus, including types used by front-line correspondents.

A ±«Óãtv War Correspondent interviews British solidiers

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