Thermionic Products Recordon

Recordon Magnetic Disc Recorder

The Recordon was a magnetic disc recorder designed for office dictation. Manufactured by Thermionic Products of London under license from the Brush Development Company of the USA, it was introduced in the UK in 1948. The Recordon represents one of the early attempts at creating portable dictation devices.

Features and Design

The Recordon employed a simple three-valve design and recorded onto 9-inch paper discs coated with a magnetic material. These discs, a distinctive feature of the Recordon, could be folded for easy mailing between offices, making them particularly suitable for traveling salespeople. The machine offered remote control and headphone playback functionality, both accessible via the microphone. Additionally, an optional foot switch provided hands-free operation. Notably, the discs were reusable, as they could be erased for recording new content.

History and Development

The Recordon was based on the Brush Development Company's Mail-A-Voice recorder, which debuted in 1946. Thermionic Products introduced their version, the Recordon TP503, two years later in 1948. Subsequent models included the TP504 and the deluxe Diplomat version released in 1953, featuring an intercom system for communication with secretaries and a telephone amplifier. Production of the Recordon ceased in the mid-1950s.

Technical Specifications and Significance

The Recordon utilized a 9-inch paper disc coated with a magnetic material for recording. While considered innovative for its time, the recording quality fell short of modern standards. The machine also presented usability challenges compared to later tape recorders. Nevertheless, the Recordon holds historical significance as one of the first portable dictation devices and is noteworthy for its unique foldable discs designed for mailing recorded dictation. Ultimately, however, the Recordon was superseded by more user-friendly and higher-fidelity magnetic tape recorders.

References

Science Museum Group: https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co8835478/recordon-magnetic-disc-recorder-by-thermionic-products-c-1949-disc-recorder

   Museum of Applied Science and Technology, WA: https://museum.wa.gov.au/online-collections/content/T1970.330.-b

   Audio Tools: http://audiotools.com/oldf.html

   Brenell Tape: https://brenelltape.co.uk.websitebuilder.prositehosting.co.uk/thermionic-products

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