History of the Telstra Research Laboratories

Introduction Achievements Directors Video Clips Audio Clips Accommodation Computing Publications Staff Photos Links Credits

Sidney Herbert Witt, founder of the Research Laboratories in 1923

Introduction

Telstra and its predecessors, the PostMaster Generals Department and Telecom Australia, have pioneered the provision of many telecommunication services in Australia. Many would not have occurred without the ideas and assistance from staff at the Telstra Research Laboratories. Two notable pioneering efforts are the Digital Radio Concentrator System (DRCS) and the Priority™ One3 system. Both these systems are highlighted in the Introduction to the History of the Telstra Research Laboratories.

Achievements

A chronological listing of Notable Events and Technical Achievements since the inception of the Research Laboratories in 1923.

Directors

> Sidney Herbert Witt (1923-1945)
> Eric Percival Wright (1945-1953)
> Norman James McCay (1953-1960)
> Leonard Michael Harris O.B.E. (1960-1964)
> Percy Rollo Brett O.B.E. (1964-1975)
> Edward F Sandbach (1975-1985)
> Harry S Wragge (1985 -Dec 1992)
> Ray Liggett (Dec 1992 - Sept 1993)
> Bruno Sorrentino (Sept 1993 - Oct 1993)
> James Park (Oct 1993 - March 1995)
> Noel Teede (March 1995 - June 1995)
> Graham Shepherd (June 1995 - Feb 1997)
> Hugh Bradlow (Feb 1997 - June 2000)
> Paul Kirton (June 2000 - June 2001)
> Hugh Bradlow (July 2001 -)

Video Clips

The following video clips are not available on line due to space limitations on the web server. However, you can follow the links for information about the clip.

> Andre Domjan Lecture (1972)
> Tomorrow is Now (1973)
> Revolt of the Instruments (1973)
> Open Days (1973)
> 1930's Electronic Laboratory (1973)
> Training Annex (1974)
> Digital Telephony in Australia (1978)
> API Children's Christmas Parties (1978)
> The Busy Ray (c1979/1980)
> Rings Of Fire (1981)
> Lightning Research (1983)
> Caldermeade Construction (1983)
> Engineering Equipment Section (1985)
> ISDN Tutorial (1985)
> Cockatoo Feeder Damage (1985)
> Telecom and You (1986)
> Hec Ruddell (1987)
> The Telecom Report (1988)
> Information Age (1989)
> Recruitment (1989)
> Telecom Today (1989)
> Lightning Lab (1990)
> Speaking Clock (1990)
> Laserlink (1991)
> IST Shutdown (1991)
> Leap Second (1992)
> Blattnerphone (1992)
> Videophone (1992)
> Antenna Calibrations (1992)
> Caldermeade (1993)
> Telstra Song (1994)
> Wombat & Cockatoo Damage (1994)
> Multimedia Lab (1996)
> Internet Fridge (1999ish)
> Laboratories 75 Year (1999)
> BigTV (2001)
> Science In Schools project (2001)
> Showcase Opening (2001)
> Catalyst featuring Geoff Huston (2002)
> Various non-TRL (19??)

Audio Clips

The following audio clips are not available on line due to space limitations on the web server. However, you can follow the links for information about the clip.
 

> iRadio Transmission #2 (2000)
> Hugh Bradlow on KissFm (2002)

Accommodation

The Research Laboratories staff and equipment have been accommodated in a variety of buildings over the years. From about 1940 to 1988, accommodation was scattered in buildings around the Melbourne Central Business District. In 1988, all of TRL was finally located on one site in Clayton. The History of Laboratories Accommodation over the years is detailed in this section.

Computing

The Research Laboratories have utilised a wide variety of Computing devices over the years. A brief History of Laboratories Computing is given in this section.

Publications

The Research Laboratories are a prolific source of publications. A brief History of Laboratories Publications is given in this section.

Official Staff Photos

> Applied Science Branch (March 1987)
> Switched Networks Branch (February 1992)
> Telecommunication Science & Technology Branch (March 1995)
> Networks Branch (May 1996)

Links to other Australian telecommunication history sites

> Telstra Gallery of Research Laboratories images
> Telstra Gallery of Historic Images
> Australasian Telephone Collector's Society
> Historical Radio Society of Australia
> Australian Computer Museum Society

Credits

• Rick Coxhill for initiating the concept of documenting TRL History and on-going updates.
• Paul Howell - for recovering the "Tomorrow is Now" film from the dumpmaster and arranging conversion to MPEG format.
• Michael Wilkins - for initial MPEG conversions.
• Katinka Emmer - for site design, initial creation and on-going updates.
• Joe Briganti - for on-going updates and MPEG conversions.
• Current and former TRL and Telstra staff  - for historical material and information. In particular, computing and accommodation.

Last updated: 10 April, 2005