Documents - the Jennings Univox, 1952
The keyboard section, April 1952.
The UNIVOX: an electronic keyboard, amplifier and speaker combo, designed to be used as an adjunct for piano, or as an instrument in its own right in a band setting. An array of sounds and effects could be switched in and out via the tabs on its fascia. Normally only the keyboard or carrying case were shown in adverts:
October 1952.
For the case, which an elegant lady rather impossibly carries with ease, see the advert further down this page, 29th March, 1952.
The earliest dated promotional item for the Univox to have emerged so far is from 1st March, 1952. The line at its foot - "3 years ago the inventor of the UNIVOX saw his early experiments succeed." - is likely to have been aimed at those who might jump to the conclusion that the keyboard was merely a derivative of Selmer's Clavioline, which had been developed in France in 1947/1948. When the Clavioline was first demonstrated to the public in Britain in 1949 it caused quite a stir.
The inventor of the Univox was Les Hills, who lived in Belvedere, not far from the Dartford Road Works. Something of a recluse - perhaps a sufferer of agoraphobia - at least one former JMI employee (Rodney Angell) recalls that Jennings people often had to go to see him (in his shed). He rarely felt able to venture down to the Works.
The earliest surviving patent application submitted by Hills and Jennings dates from 17th December 1951. This was granted in January 1955 as number 722,430. Others may have preceded it, however. The Patent Office does not appear to have kept applications from the 1940s and 1950s that were not granted.
Although for the public at large the "Univox" was simply presented as the "Univox" or "Jennings Univox", the model was in fact the "J5", for which a set of circuit diagrams survives. The more familiar "J6" came later (in Spring 1953). The key selling points of the J5 were:
- Portable, weighing only 30lbs.
- Three octave keyboard.
- Three vibrato stages (among its other effects).
- Twin speakers.
- Power output of 15 watts.
The J5 was effectively the first Jennings "Twin" (twin speakers), something not seen again until May 1960, when the AC30 Twin appeared. Later on - in late 1952 - the two speakers, almost certainly elliptical, were replaced by a single 8" unit.
The earliest shop advert (so far) for a Univox is 2nd May, 1952 - Reno's, Oxford Street, Manchester. Production was evidently underway from the close to the beginning of Tom's advertising campaign. However, things seem to have gone slightly pear shaped fairly quickly. During the course of May, Derek Underdown was brought in by Tom to oversee (and sort out) assembly of the Univox. More on that to follow.
A detail of 115 Dartford Road in 1953 - accordion repair. Univoxes were probably assembled in this space too.
In the autumn of 1952, Jennings began to signal the pressure of its export drive and shortages of stock in the home market. An advert placed in October (illustrated further below) adds: "America's largest Musical Instrument wholesalers have placed an important contract for UNIVOX keyboards", a tantalising reference, though it is not certain who or what this might have been. Were early Univox J5s shipped to the States in sizeable numbers in late 1952 / early 1953?
Finally to mention that by the end of the year Tom had a network of dealers and agents across the country, notice of one in Hull is included below.
General chronological overview
In progress, August 2024.
Below, for the time being, a small selection from a substantial number of ads placed by Jennings in various journals, magazines, and newspapers during 1952. Further material will be added in due course.
1st March, 1952. "Manufactured and distributed throughout the world solely by Jennings Musical Instruments Ltd."
29th March, 1952, the elegant lady carries what is likely to be an empty case.
"Daily Mirror", April 1952.
May, 1952. Reno's, Manchester.
June, 1952. A review of the Univox.
From the primitive days of tom-toms and reed pipes, the musician throughout the ages has divided his time in almost equal proportions between perfecting his technique and searching for the elusive and sometimes almost mythical "new noises". Each generation in its turn has added its contribution to the stockpile of knowledge and experience, and it is not surprising therefore, that for our quote we should for inspiration to electronics - without doubt a product of this modern day and age.
We who move in musical circles are conscious of the effect that electronics has on our Art. We are familiar with the several electronic organs which are making their appearance in our theatres, concert-halls and homes. The latest, a British invention, embodies a unique simplicity of design, at the same time, the UNIVOX Electronic Keyboard offers a wealth of tone colours, which include not only the familiar orchestral ones, but many enchanting and original organ effects, hitherto unknown. Furthermore, these are achieved with an absolute minimum of components usin only standard radio equipment.
The Univox is extremely portable. It packs complete into a case only 22in x 10in x 14in, and weighs around 30lbs. The amplifier gives an output of 15 watts through two speakers, and the console is designed on modern functional lines, combinin ease of operation with a streamline appearance. Many other electronic instruments are in course of development, and there is no doubt that the 'fifties will have provided posterity with not one but many "New noises".
August, 1952.
October, 1952. Still the twin speakers.
Nottingham, October 1952, Freeston and Sons appointed Sales and Service Agents for the Univox.
"Daily Mail", northern ed., November, 1952.
December, 1952. No mention of twin speakers. Now four vibrato stages.
December, 1952. A version of the above illustrating the case and chrome "gigster" stand.
December, 1952. A full page ad for musicians rather than dealers.