September 2002

Happy 70th Birthday - Practical Wireless

The September issue celebrates the 70th anniversary of the birth of Practical Wireless.

My column this month is devoted entirely to one very important and popular part of the magazine: Practical Wireless Blueprints. The first blueprint was included free of charge with the very first issue of PW way back in 1932.

Blueprints were introduced to help would-be radio constructors build their own radio sets. In the 1930s, radio was very much a novelty and everyone wanted to listen-in. However, most people had very little money to spend on luxuries, and so the only way they could afford a radio set was to build it themselves. Lack of knowledge and experience often led to disappointment, so the Founder - and Editor for many years - of Practical Wireless, F.J. Camm, came up with the idea that he would guarantee radio sets designed by himself and other members of the PW staff.

The earliest blueprint I have in my own collection is of The Monitor Three from February 8th, 1936. It's a three-valve TRF set which illustrates perfectly F.J. Camm's philosophy. PW Blueprints were not true engineering blueprints. Rather, they were detailed, life-size wiring diagrams showing all components and all interconnections. Guaranteed PW designs had all components specified exactly, including the manufacturer, so it was possible to produce accurate drawings and wiring details. The Editor stated that all PW radio sets could be built with absolute confidence and they would perform in accord with all stated claims. Practical Wireless also had a Free Advice Bureau. If a constructor still had difficulty, then he could get help from the staff at PW at no charge. Looking back, it may be that the free blueprint was simply a way of selling more magazines. Perhaps it was, but it was also a genuine attempt to help ordinary people construct their own, working, radio sets.

Free blueprints continued to be included with special issues until war broke out in 1939 when restrictions on the use of paper limited what could be included in magazines. Later the following year, further restrictions caused PW to be published monthly rather than weekly. After 1945, continuing shortages meant that blueprints were not re-introduced until 1952. From then until the end of 1966 - when free blueprints ceased - the number of blueprints included with copies of PW never approached pre-war figures. However, there was a mini-golden age of blueprints and free gifts in the years 1962, 1963 and 1965.

Thank You

I must acknowledge that I was fortunate to receive help from a local company - Static Systems Group - with the blueprints featured in this month's magazine. A big thank-you to everyone who helped!.

Now, a personal 'thank you' to Practical Wireless. PW was the first radio magazine I read regularly, and I now realise just how big an influence it had on making radio and electronics both my favourite hobby and my career.

Congratulations, PW. And a special thanks for keeping the name PRACTICAL WIRELESS on every cover, from the very first magazine right through to this 70th anniversary issue.

Return to the contents page