Plessey

Corporate History and Overview

Automatic Years

In November of 1911, British Insulated Cables created a business entity known as the Automatic Telephone Manufacturing Co. of Edge Lane, Liverpool to produce automatic telephone exchanges and related equipment. It will be noted that in 1932, now a subsidiary of International Automatic Telephone Co., Automatic Telephone Manufacturing Company changed their name to Automatic Electric Co. In 1936, they were absorbed back into the parent corporation, adopting the merged name Automatic Telephone and Electric Co. Ltd.

Plessey Takeover

Founded 12th December 1917, Plessey Co. of Marylebone, London was created to produce small mechanical bits and bobs. They would shift into electronics contract manufacture in the 1920’s before dissolving and reforming themselves as the Plessey Co. on 15th February 1925. In 1960 Automatic Telephone and Electric Co. joined in a consortium with Plessey Co. with five other companies to form a holding company, Combined Telephone Holdings, in an unsuccessful attempt to acquire one of the smallest telephone players, Telephone Manufacturing Co., and later in a successful attempt to acquire another of the smallest, Phoenix Telephone and Electric Works. Continuing on the trend from 1960, and an eye towards expansion, Plessey ended manufacture of some commercial electronics and focused on shifting from a component manufacturer to a systems provider. Acquisitions of Automatic Telephone and Electric Co. and Ericsson Telephones Ltd. doubled corporate size and made them Britain’s largest telco manufacturer. In 1965 these three would be fully combined, furthermore known as Plessey Telecommunications. Traffic signals would now be only a minor business concern of Plessey, having scores of subsidiary companies and tens of thousands of workers. Later years would see the designs updated one last time before they lost out to more upstart manufacturers such as Mellor and in later years Siemens and PEEK.

Distributors and Contract Manufacturing

In 1932, Automatic Telephone Manufacturing Co. began producing traffic lanterns. Using the trade name Electro-Matic to describe their automatic operation, it is believed they had a cooperative agreement with Automatic Signal of the U.S.A. who were also pioneers in the field of actuated traffic control.

Traffic Signals

broken down into general categories

Design Characteristics

describe major features and variations (Major variations can get their own subheading)

Four Ways

describe models, variations

Adjustables

describe models, variations

Pedestrian Signals

describe models, variations

Vehicle Heads (Round)

describe models, variations

Vehicle Heads (Square Door Adapters)

describe models, variations

Pedestrian/Sign Heads (Rectangular)

describe models, variations

Informational Signals and Signs

describe models, variations [delete] includes "box signs," "case signs," and Ped Heads with special [non-ped] lenses.

Lenses

describe models, variations

Vehicular

describe models, variations

Pedestrian

describe models, variations

Worded

describe models, variations

Symbols

describe models, variations

Special

describe models, variations

Controllers

Different type of controllers

Hardware

This would include any kind of special options for traffic signals as well as mounting hardware including brackets, slipfitters, hangers, bases, etc.

Miscellaneous Images

Various reference images, restored examples, etc. that don't fit anywhere else.

Relevant Patents

Patent numbers relevant to this MFR or signals specifically. Not just every patent by company X.

References

Insert any sources cited or used here

Holding Pen for Unsorted Data, Notes, Etc.

Insert any random discussions here