1930's Australian AWA Empire State and other radios

Amalgamated Wireless Australia (AWA) was a leading Australian electronics company that played a key role in the development of wireless communication and broadcasting in Australia and around the world.

AWA was founded in Sydney in 1909 by a group of investors led by Ernest Fisk, who had previously worked with Marconi in England. The company's initial focus was on developing wireless communication technology for ships and coastal stations.

In the 1920s, AWA expanded into radio broadcasting, establishing a number of radio stations across Australia, including 2UW in Sydney and 3AK in Melbourne. The company also produced a range of radio receivers and other consumer electronics.

During World War II, AWA played a crucial role in the war effort, producing a variety of military communications and radar equipment, as well as pioneering the development of microwave technology.

In the post-war period, AWA continued to innovate and expand, developing new more... technologies such as television broadcasting and transistor radios. The company also established a strong presence in Asia, particularly in the Philippines and Indonesia.

In the 1970s, AWA faced increasing competition from international electronics companies, and began to diversify into other areas such as defence electronics and aviation. However, the company struggled financially, and was eventually acquired by the multinational electronics conglomerate Philips in 1985.

Philips continued to operate the AWA brand in Australia, but gradually phased out its operations over the following decades. The AWA brand is no longer in use, but the company's legacy lives on in the form of the many contributions it made to the development of wireless communication and broadcasting technology in Australia and beyond. less...