Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Ltd aggregated collection of records

fonds

1896-1990s

Textual Records, Musical Sound Recordings, Nonmusical Sound Recordings, Graphic Materials

9660966

43.48 metres of textual material (273 boxes and 2 outsize) includes photographs, negatives, slides
18 Albums

AWA commenced operations in 1909 as Australasian Wireless Limited (AWL), as a Telefunken wireless agent. In 1912, the English Marconi Company sued the Australian government for infringing their patent and AWL issued writs against firms who were using Marconi equipment. The government decided the best solution would be to use circuits designed by John Balsillie, inventor of the ‘Balsillie System’ of wireless telegraphy. The following year, the two parties settled their differences and in July 1913, they formed a new company, Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Ltd. AWA had exclusive rights throughout Australasia to the patents, ‘present and future’, for both Marconi and Telefunken. Later, that year the new company established the Marconi Telefunken College of Telegraphy, later renamed the Marconi School of Wireless (MSW). In 1979 this moved to Launceston, Tasmania and becomes part of the Australian Maritime College. The first AWA chairman was Sir Hugh Denison and Sir Ernest Fisk, also a founding director, was made General and Technical manager. In 1916 Fisk became Managing Director and in 1932 was made AWA Chairman.
Throughout most of the 20th century AWA was Australia's largest and most prominent electronics organisation, undertaking development, manufacture and distribution of radio, telecommunications, television and audio equipment as well as broadcasting services. After the sell-off of most of its assets and operating divisions, AWA is now primarily an information and communications technology (ICT) services company.

Collection 1
Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Ltd records, 1914-1962

Collection 2
Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Ltd further records, 1914-1962

Collection 3
Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Ltd further records, 1923-ca. 1970

Collection 4
Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Ltd further records, 1896-1985

Collection 5
Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Ltd photographs, 1914-1985

Collection 6
Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Ltd further records, 1910-1980

Collection 7
Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Ltd further records, 1928-1990s

Collection 8
Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Ltd technical drawings

Restricted: Prior approval from donor is required for access. Access requires written permission from Managing Director, AWA Technology Services. Contact AWA's head office in NSW: Unit 1 9-11 South Street Rydalmere 2116 Phone: (02) 9764 7777 Email: ncc@awa.com.au
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