Roberts Radio

My father never went in much for conventional advertising — in the early days he simply couldn't afford to, but even when he could have done so he much preferred to do something that was sufficiently newsworthy to earn him publicity free. To promote the idea that a portable radio could express its owner's taste and discrimination, he produced a number of "specials". Some were unashamed stunts, like the one with the solid-gold case, which appeared in newspapers all over the world. More down to earth, but a highly cost-effective exercise in publicity, were a few sets covered in shades of leather-cloth that we didn't normally use (and that would have looked more appropriate on deck chairs), sold through Harrods at standard price as a limited edition.

But best of all was the publicity that came simply from demonstrating how good the product was. I can recall my father's enthusiasm when, in May 1959, a letter arrived from St. John's College, Cambridge, asking whether we could provide a compact, battery-powered short-wave set for the Cambridge Colombian Expedition, sailing in a little over a fortnight's time; a mention in the expedition's general report was offered in lieu of payment. An RT1 transistor set was hurriedly modified to include short waves, and won high praise by performing impeccably throughout the expedition despite being buffeted about on a pack-mule and exposed to extremes of altitude, temperature and humidity.

The story of this small, family-run business is straightforward enough. I think it is nevertheless worth recounting, both as an evocation of the heyday of Britain's broadcast-receiver industry, and as the case-history of a company that thankfully survived the industry's subsequent decimation. There is no doubt in my mind that it was primarily my father's prudent financial philosophy of growth from profit, to which we still adhere today, that enabled us to weather the storm. Another important factor in our favour has been that we are a very lean operation, with a loyal and stable work force. We are undeniably fortunate in having specialised from the outset in a product for which there has been a steadily increasing demand; nevertheless we have in recent years thought it prudent to diversify a little, with encouraging results.

My father was a man of unusual warmth and integrity, and although it is now eighteen years since he died I know that he is widely remembered with respect and affection. I am happy to publish this little book as a tribute to him and to my mother, who is happily still with us, and whose contribution to the firm went far beyond winding all those frame aerials.