Plessey
From HighwayWiki
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.
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.
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.
broken down into general categories
describe major features and variations (Major variations can get their own subheading)
describe models, variations
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describe models, variations [delete] includes "box signs," "case signs," and Ped Heads with special [non-ped] lenses.
describe models, variations
describe models, variations
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describe models, variations
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describe models, variations
Different type of controllers
This would include any kind of special options for traffic signals as well as mounting hardware including brackets, slipfitters, hangers, bases, etc.
Various reference images, restored examples, etc. that don't fit anywhere else.
Patent numbers relevant to this MFR or signals specifically. Not just every patent by company X.
Insert any sources cited or used here
Insert any random discussions here
