"Recordon" magnetic disc recorder by Thermionic Products, c. 1949

"Recordon" magnetic disc recorder by Thermionic Products, London, c. 1949. Serial number W307911.

The “Recordon” was an office dictation system made by Thermionic Products of London under licence from the Brush Development Company of the USA. It was introduced into the UK in 1948 and a couple of further “Recordon” models were produced, but in the mid-1950s Thermionic switched to the Agavox system.

The “Recordon” was a simple three-valve office dictation system which recorded onto a 9-inch paper recording disc with a magnetic coating. The system came with a remote control and headphone level playback both available via the microphone with a foot switch as an extra option.

The “Recordon” recording disc had fold lines printed on it and could be folded for posting. To keep the disc flat, and to direct the recording arm, a special pre-grooved disc was placed over the recording disc. Discs could be erased for re-use.