The Polytechnic had a successful Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department that catered for the many electrical and electronic engineers working in local industry. Right from the start there was a Department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, in the Engineering Block in Wulfruna Street, that opened in 1926. There were soon theoretical and practical courses in electrical engineering, electrical technology, electrical science, mechanical and electrical science, radio principles, radio servicing and telecommunications. When the Electrical and Production Engineering Building was built at the rear of the front yard in 1951, the Electrical Engineering Department was housed in the following rooms:

Room 151 - Radio and Television Laboratory
Room 152 - Electrical Machines Laboratory
Room 153 - Electrical Science Laboratory.

By the late 1950s There were three senior lecturers, 1 lecturer and 4 assistant lecturers. The rooms were as follows:

The Electrical Machines and Power Laboratory that had AC and DC machines with specially designed control panels.
The Electronics and Telecommunications Laboratory with a wide range of up-to-date test equipment.
The Electrical Measurement Laboratory with a Standards Room, complete with standards and measuring equipment.
The Radio Servicing and Electrical Installations workshops with a wide range of equipment and a model six room flat.

The Electrical Engineering Department became the Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering offering a wide range of courses from City and Guilds courses to courses leading an Ordinary National Certificate (ONC), Higher National Certificate (HNC), and a Higher National Diploma (HND). The courses covered all aspects of electrical engineering. There were also Radio and Television Servicing courses until 1973.

Members of staff on their way to an awards ceremony at the Civic Hall in the early 1970s. On the left is Tony Robbins, in front of ? Campbell on the left and Colin Bullock. They in turn are followed by Jack Taylor (on the left) and Mick Bowen, who are followed by Kurt Pollak and John Dear. Courtesy of David Parsons.

Another view of Mick Bowen, Jack Taylor, Kurt Pollak and John Dear on their way to an awards ceremony. Courtesy of David Parsons.


Another group on their way to the awards ceremony. On the far left is Don Courten, Head of the Building and Civil Engineering Department, followed by Nelson Taylor from the Maths Department. On the right is Brian Evans. Courtesy of David Parsons.

In 1974, Tony Margetts left the Polytechnic to emigrate to Auckland in New Zealand where he worked for a manufacturer of televisions, radios and domestic electronic goods. He joined the department in 1965 when it had a television and radio servicing division, then moved into the electronics section when radio and television moved to Wulfrun College. He is seen here at his leaving party at the Mount Hotel in Tettenhall in April 1974. Tony and his wife Kath are being presented with his leaving present, a digital clock, by head of department, Brian Evans. Courtesy of David Parsons.

The staff in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering in the late 1970s. Courtesy of David Parsons.
Back Row - left to right: Shingara, David Parsons, Eric Thomason, Jack Taylor, Colin Bullock, Alf Keay, Kurt Pollak, Mike Ardley.
Front Row - left to right: Tony Robbins, Norman Bright, Lillian Howell, Brian Evans, Roger Hamilton, David Weighton.


Kevin Jones. Courtesy of David Parsons.


Kurt Pollak and his wife, with his retirement present. Courtesy of David Parsons.

Another view of Mr. and Mrs Pollak with Kurt's retirement present. On the far right is Cliff Lee and his wife, and in the bottom right-hand corner is Colin Bullock. Courtesy of David Parsons.


Kurt Pollak receiving another of his retirement gifts. Courtesy of David Parsons.

Some of the guests at Kurt Pollak's retirement party. On the extreme right is John Moxham, a brilliant mechanical engineer. Courtesy of David Parsons.


Norman Bright and David Parsons. Courtesy of David Parsons.


Norman Bright and his wife. Courtesy of David Parsons.


Eric and Sheila Thomason. Courtesy of David Parsons.


Kurt Pollak taking a photo, Tony Robbins and Dawn Parsons. Courtesy of David Parsons.

Wendy from the office talking to Jack Taylor. On the far right is Alf Key, who is now a retired Minister of the Church of England and lives in Market Drayton. Courtesy of David Parsons.


On the left is Colin Bullock and possibly his wife. Courtesy of David Parsons.


Tony Robbins, Dawn Parsons and Shingara. Courtesy of David Parsons.


The Electrical Machines Laboratory. Courtesy of David Parsons.


Len Ramshall and David Parsons. Courtesy of David Parsons.


Len Ramshall and his wife Gladys in room 151D.  Courtesy of David Parsons.


The Electrical Machines Laboratory. Courtesy of David Parsons.


Another view of the Electrical Machines Laboratory. Courtesy of David Parsons.


Tom Steele in the Electrical Machines Laboratory. Courtesy of David Parsons.


Making adjustments in the Electrical Machines Laboratory. Courtesy of David Parsons.

Adjusting a valve radio chassis, mounted in a Dexion frame. The radios were used to teach alignment and fault finding. The photo dates from 1967.

On the left is Trevor Lavender, with Mick Bowen on the right.

Courtesy of David Parsons.


Some of the old equipment in the Standards Room in the late 1980s. Courtesy of David Parsons.


More of the old equipment in the Standards Room in the late 1980s. Courtesy of David Parsons.


An electrical laboratory. Courtesy of David Parsons.
 

Room 53 in 1989. Courtesy of David Parsons.


Another view of room 53 in 1989. Courtesy of David Parsons.


Room 151C in the late 1980s. Courtesy of David Parsons.


One of the laboratories in 'C Block'. Courtesy of David Parsons.


University Safety Officer, Frank Collins in 'C Block'. Second from left. Courtesy of David Parsons.

In 1981 the department became part of the Control and Electronic Group in the School of Engineering. The main courses were HNC / HND in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and HNC / HND in Computer Technology. The School of Engineering took over part of 'C Block' until the mid 1990s.


'C Block', in readiness for the move to 'MU Block'. Courtesy of David Parsons.

   
Return to
The 1970s		   Return to
the contents		   Proceed to
The 1980s