A remarkable engineer in danger of being lost in history

The latest In Ian Handford’s series of significant people introduces Gordon J King, a new famous name to many in Torbay.
King was born on June 27, 1922 into what he called "a working class family" at the heart of Oxford. When aged seven, he observed the streaky-gold seams in coal in the fireplace and pondered whether this might carry a radio signal in a similar way to crystals creating "radio waves".
It was a unique thought, which affected his life forever, ultimately bringing him the huge respect of inventors around the world.
Having thought the "golden vein" (in coal) could be used as a "cats whisker", he found it did indeed create a faint soundwave, like crystal. Now his life would be spent reading about and investigating the science of radio, television and all technology, where aerials, coils, condensers, valves, cassettes, amplifiers and eventually printed circuits became par for the course.
Leaving school at fourteen, Gordon tried to get a radio apprenticeship but had to settle for work repairing manual typewriters. He would continue to read and watch, as valves boosted radio signals and John Logie Baird in Scotland used scanned discs to create an early form of television.
Gordon, meanwhile, was repairing manual typewriters for the William Hunt repair shop until an apprenticeship was given. He stripped and reassembled machinery and, at the same time, would study technical books about science and mathematical issues, as well as radio (wireless). When conscription intervened, he wanted to be a pilot with the RAF but this was one vision too far - he failed the medical as the examiner stated he suffered from "colour vision aberration".
By age twenty, the Army sent him to Asia, then South Africa and India before noting the obsessive commitment to science. Officers finally sent him to Rugby Technical College where other devotees of the wireless were amazed at his tremendous knowledge. With Government wanting to optimise any talent that could assist the war effort, they recognised Gordon's knowledge of technology (by now he had been studying for a decade). The Army used this by making him a lecturer.
During the 1930s, two magazines the Popular Wireless and Amateur Wireless were merged by George Newnes Ltd to create "Practical Wireless" and within five decades he would become the primary authority for all DIY idealists and professionals on the technical progress and science behind wireless, while writing hundreds of features for the magazine.
Thousands of DIY enthusiasts around the world would read his "easy to read technical books" about wireless, television and the oscillascope until eventually he was made editor of Practical Wireless magazine.
In 1947, Gordon married his second wife Barbara and they established Gordon J King (Enterprises) in St Giles at Oxford. As sole Directors, they eventually left Oxford for Devon and in Torbay leased a flat in Paignton before moving to a house alongside the old Brixham railway (today lost) where Gordon erected the first Brixham coaxial cable and a relay for his "telebooster" being another first, a product of the company.
With Barbara, he remained in Brixham for fifty years, during which time dozens of inventions and innovations were created, the most famous being his "King Telebooster" the world's first battery powered "set top box" to enhance poor TV reception literally, anywhere.
Hundreds of technical gadgets were developed in Brixham, while his love of writing saw Gordon's pen produce (as he recalls) - 4000 articles and 40 books - about the science behind amateur radio and technology - his code - c.w. (morse) G4VFV operator.
Gordon J King died at his North Boundary Road home in Brixham on July 2, 2010 and in partnership with his son Michael, our society now hope to unveil a Blue Plaque to honour him later this year, as a most remarkable engineer in the 20th century.
IAN'S COMMENT. Absolutely amazing technician who was lost in history until his son contacted me.
NEXT WEEK - FLORA THOMPSON (Nee Timms)