Vintage HMV radio

His Master's Voice (HMV) is a brand name used by a number of different companies, but it originated with the British Gramophone Company in the early 20th century. The company was founded in 1897 by William Barry Owen and Trevor Williams, and it quickly became one of the leading manufacturers of gramophones and phonographs in the world.

In 1902, the company began using the trademark of a dog listening to a gramophone, which became known as the "His Master's Voice" (HMV) logo. The image was based on a painting by Francis Barraud, which he created after seeing his dog Nipper listening intently to a gramophone. The HMV logo became one of the most recognizable trademarks in the world and was used by the company for decades.

Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, HMV continued to produce high-quality gramophones and phonographs, as well as radios and other audio equipment. more... The company also expanded into the production of film and music recordings, with a catalog that included everything from classical music to popular songs.

During World War II, HMV faced significant challenges as production was disrupted by the war effort. The company was also impacted by the rise of new audio technologies, such as magnetic tape and vinyl records, which began to replace the older shellac-based discs that HMV had produced for decades.

Despite these challenges, HMV continued to be a leading manufacturer of audio equipment throughout the mid-20th century. The company introduced new products such as high-fidelity (hi-fi) systems in the 1950s and 1960s, which helped to keep it at the forefront of the audio industry.

However, in the later decades of the 20th century, HMV faced increasing competition from other audio companies, as well as from new forms of entertainment such as television and video games. The company eventually went bankrupt in 2018, although it was later revived under new ownership.

Today, the HMV brand continues to be associated with high-quality audio equipment, and the iconic "His Master's Voice" logo remains a beloved symbol of the history of recorded music. less...