1928: Austrian emigré (Sir) Jules Thorn established The Electric Lamp Service Company Limited. The company imported lamp and radio components before making light bulbs in Edmonton, North London. 1936: acquired Ferguson Radio Corporation and renamed Thorn Electrical Industries Ltd (and also became public company). 1961 acquired Ultra Radio and Television. Established subsidiary British Rado Corporation in early 1960s to manufacture and market radios and televsions under Ferguson, Marconiphone and Ultra brand names. 1964: the lighting interests of Thorn and Associated Electrical Industries Ltd (AEI) merged to form British Lighting Industries Ltd , becoming a wholly owned subsiduary of Thorn in 1967. 1979: 1979: Merged with EMI Ltd in 1979 to become Thorn EMI.