Pye of Cambridge
The Story
Welcome ...
Welcome ...
... to a site charting the history and achievements of the Pye of Cambridge Company.
... to a site charting the history and achievements of the Pye of Cambridge Company.
Latest News
Latest News
Now closed between 3rd November and 5th December 2020
Now closed between 3rd November and 5th December 2020
The Cambridge Museum of Technology, including the Pye Building, when open, will ...
The Cambridge Museum of Technology, including the Pye Building, when open, will ...
Open 10.30am to 4.00pm every Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Open 10.30am to 4.00pm every Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
The following links will connect you directly to their relevant site pages.
The following links will connect you directly to their relevant site pages.
Visitors will be allocated entry time slots, please pre-book via the BOOK TIME SLOT page. Visitors without time slots will be given the next available slot.
Visitors will be allocated entry time slots, please pre-book via the BOOK TIME SLOT page. Visitors without time slots will be given the next available slot.
Please view their COVID-19 page to see details of how they have ensured their visitors and staff have a safe and rewarding experience.
Please view their COVID-19 page to see details of how they have ensured their visitors and staff have a safe and rewarding experience.
The Pye and Cambridge Instrument Company collections are now on permanent display at the Cambridge Museum of Technology, Cheddars Lane, Cambridge CB5 8LD.
The Pye and Cambridge Instrument Company collections are now on permanent display at the Cambridge Museum of Technology, Cheddars Lane, Cambridge CB5 8LD.
NORMAL OPENING HOURS (PLEASE SEE ABOVE FOR REVISED DETAILS)
NORMAL OPENING HOURS (PLEASE SEE ABOVE FOR REVISED DETAILS)
10am to 5pm (4pm in November to January)*
December to March: Friday to Sunday
April to November: Wednesday to Sunday
* Last admission is half an hour before closing time
Telephone - 01223 500652
Guided Tours of the Pye Exhibition
Guided Tours of the Pye Exhibition
Join a former Pye employee for a tour of the exhibition. Learn about Pye’s iconic radios and hear stories of the people behind the Company and the local sites at which they worked.
Join a former Pye employee for a tour of the exhibition. Learn about Pye’s iconic radios and hear stories of the people behind the Company and the local sites at which they worked.
The Museum hosts a guided tour of the Pye exhibition at 2pm on the second Sunday of each month (except December and January). They are given by one of the former Pye employees who researched the fascinating history of the company and curated the exhibition. Each tour will focus on a different aspect of Pye’s activities, depending on the tour guide.
The Museum hosts a guided tour of the Pye exhibition at 2pm on the second Sunday of each month (except December and January). They are given by one of the former Pye employees who researched the fascinating history of the company and curated the exhibition. Each tour will focus on a different aspect of Pye’s activities, depending on the tour guide.
The 45 minute tour is included with your regular Museum ticket. Please meet at the Pye Building.
The 45 minute tour is included with your regular Museum ticket. Please meet at the Pye Building.
CURRENTLY THESE TOURS ARE POSTPONED. PLEASE SEE THE MUSEUM WEBSITE FOR ANY UPDATES
CURRENTLY THESE TOURS ARE POSTPONED. PLEASE SEE THE MUSEUM WEBSITE FOR ANY UPDATES
Upcoming "Story of Pye" Presentations
Upcoming "Story of Pye" Presentations
Hemingford Local History Society - Thursday, March 19th 2020 at 7.30pm - Speakers Bob Bates & Mike Wassall NOW RE-SCHEDULED TO 18TH NOVEMBER 2020 BY ZOOM
Sawston Village History Society - Thursday, April 9th 2020 at 7.30pm - Speakers Dick McMullan & Roger Crabtree POSTPONED
‘Whaddon Wednesdays’ - Wednesday, April 15th 2020 at 8.00pm - Speakers Dick McMullan & Roger Crabtree POSTPONED
Soham Museum’s History Group - Thursday, May 7th 2020 at 7.30pm - Speakers Bob Bates & Mike Wassall POSTPONED
Because of the current difficulty in holding our usual live "Story of Pye" presentations, we have prepared a video which covers some of the this material.
Because of the current difficulty in holding our usual live "Story of Pye" presentations, we have prepared a video which covers some of the this material.
Pye Collection News
Pye Collection News
The all new and permanent Pye Exhibition opened on 7th June 2019 at the Cambridge Museum of Technology, Cheddars Lane, Cambridge CB5 8LD
The all new and permanent Pye Exhibition opened on 7th June 2019 at the Cambridge Museum of Technology, Cheddars Lane, Cambridge CB5 8LD
The Preview Opening Event on Tuesday 21st May 2019, with Professor Sir Michael Gregory
The Preview Opening Event on Tuesday 21st May 2019, with Professor Sir Michael Gregory
Obituaries
Obituaries
Geoff Griffiths
Geoff Griffiths
Sadly we have learnt that Geoff Griffiths, for many years the Technical Director at Newmarket Transistors, passed away earlier this August.
Sadly we have learnt that Geoff Griffiths, for many years the Technical Director at Newmarket Transistors, passed away earlier this August.
A very popular, clever and inventive technologist, he was mentor to many others. His many repeated tales and jokes will be missed.
A very popular, clever and inventive technologist, he was mentor to many others. His many repeated tales and jokes will be missed.
As a small tribute we enclose here two short oral history clips from him, excerpts from his much longer version archived by the Pye History Trust and the Cambridge Museum of Technology.
As a small tribute we enclose here two short oral history clips from him, excerpts from his much longer version archived by the Pye History Trust and the Cambridge Museum of Technology.
Richard King
Richard King
Earlier this year we also learnt with great sadness that Richard King had passed away.
Earlier this year we also learnt with great sadness that Richard King had passed away.
Richard joined Pye as a Management Trainee. After a successful career in Sales and Marketing, he became Managing Director of Pye TVT in 1972 and subsequently Managing Director of Cambridge Electronic Industries in 1981. Richard also appears elsewhere on this website.
Richard joined Pye as a Management Trainee. After a successful career in Sales and Marketing, he became Managing Director of Pye TVT in 1972 and subsequently Managing Director of Cambridge Electronic Industries in 1981. Richard also appears elsewhere on this website.
Greatly admired by all who worked with him, he was also a good friend of the Pye History Trust.
Greatly admired by all who worked with him, he was also a good friend of the Pye History Trust.
Richard describes his experience working with CO Stanley
Richard describes his experience working with CO Stanley
The Pye Story - Overview
The Pye Story - Overview
From WG Pye beginning the company in 1896 in his garden shed, through a vital support of the country during both World Wars, to a global technology company of up to 30,000 employees.
From WG Pye beginning the company in 1896 in his garden shed, through a vital support of the country during both World Wars, to a global technology company of up to 30,000 employees.
Some of the remarkable people who have shaped and moulded a worldwide technology company that improved the lives of many.
Some of the remarkable people who have shaped and moulded a worldwide technology company that improved the lives of many.
Some of the 60 or more companies that designed, developed, manufactured and marketed a huge range of products and services.
Some of the 60 or more companies that designed, developed, manufactured and marketed a huge range of products and services.
The vast range of products and technologies, ranging from hostess trolleys to TVs to military radar and communication equipment to outside broadcast vehicles.
The vast range of products and technologies, ranging from hostess trolleys to TVs to military radar and communication equipment to outside broadcast vehicles.
Focus on exhibits from the museum ... (to learn more, click on the links)
Focus on exhibits from the museum ... (to learn more, click on the links)
1967
1967
Pye ‘Chief Executive’, UHF transportable radiotelephone
Pye ‘Chief Executive’, UHF transportable radiotelephone
This equipment was made in small quantities for UK Prime Minister Harold Wilson, who objected to obvious or overt security precautions around him.
This equipment was made in small quantities for UK Prime Minister Harold Wilson, who objected to obvious or overt security precautions around him.
1956
1956
In 1956 Pye launched the Record Maker. This was a record player that could play conventional records but could also record onto magnetic disks using a special magnetic record head. It came complete with a microphone and a magnet which could be used to erase the disk in order to re-record.
In 1956 Pye launched the Record Maker. This was a record player that could play conventional records but could also record onto magnetic disks using a special magnetic record head. It came complete with a microphone and a magnet which could be used to erase the disk in order to re-record.
The "I didn't know Pye did that" Corner ...
The "I didn't know Pye did that" Corner ...
1966
1966
Pye Implantable Pacemaker
Pye Implantable Pacemaker
Type EM.1005
Type EM.1005
"The Pacemaker is designed for the treatment of complete heart block by providing electrical pulse stimulation of the cardiac muscle."
1950s
1950s
A standard industrial television camera was built into a pressure resistant housing to enable it to work underwater.
A standard industrial television camera was built into a pressure resistant housing to enable it to work underwater.
Because of its unique shape it was called ‘The Football’ camera.
Because of its unique shape it was called ‘The Football’ camera.
In the 1950’s the design was further improved and used to find the wreckage of crashed airliners.
In the 1950’s the design was further improved and used to find the wreckage of crashed airliners.
Welcome to the Pye Story - starting in a Cambridge garden shed to become a huge multinational business
Welcome to the Pye Story - starting in a Cambridge garden shed to become a huge multinational business