A C Cossor was founded in 1896 in Farringdon Road, Clerkenwell, making scientific glassware. In 1918 the firm moved to larger premises in Highbury called Aberdeen works, extended in 1927 with no. 22 Highbury Grove as offices and with the nearby balloon factory of the Spencer brothers, well known aeronauts, as an annexe called Melody works. Bulk production of valves and later of radios was undertaken, providing home construction kits that were easier to use than the old crystal sets. A large three-storeyed factory was built in 1929 in front of the parent factory and more land was bought near Melody works. In the early 1930s the firm developed cathode ray tubes for television, the first television receivers, and the world's first radar receiver. A five-storeyed factory replaced several old houses and gardens in Highbury Grove in 1935, with space for 1,000 additional radio workers, and a front administration block in 1936. (fn. 36a) The firm moved to Harlow (Essex) in 1958. Source: 'A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 8, Islington and Stoke Newington Parishes'. Originally published by Victoria County History, London, 1985

• Keywords
  ELECTRONICS INDUSTRIES, Radio, TELEVISION, BUSINESSES
• Geographical keyword
  FARRINGDON ROAD, HIGHBURY GROVE
• Persons keyword
  A C [Electronics Manufacturers] Cossor