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SILICON SILIC CHIP www.siliconchip.com.au Publisher/Editor Nicholas Vinen Technical Editor John Clarke – B.E.(Elec.) Editorial Viewpoint 100 years of Australian electronics magazines Editorial office: Unit 1 (up ramp), 234 Harbord Rd, Brookvale, NSW 2100. Postal address: PO Box 139, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097. Phone: (02) 9939 3295. ISSN: 1030-2662 Printing and Distribution: The first issue of Wireless Weekly was published on the 4th of August 1922 – almost exactly a century before you are likely to read this. You might be wondering what that has to do with Silicon Chip, besides both publications being Australian electronics magazines. There is a bit more of an association than just that. Wireless Weekly was started by Florence Violet McKenzie, Ron Marsden and William Maclardy. You might recall that I reviewed a biography of Violet McKenzie (aka Mrs Mac) titled “Radio Girl” in the February 2022 issue (siliconchip.au/Article/15203). They sold Wireless Weekly to Wireless Newspapers Ltd in 1923. It became a monthly magazine in April 1939 and was renamed “Radio & Hobbies” and then “Radio, Television & Hobbies” in 1955. Radio, TV & Hobbies once again changed its name to “Electronics Australia” in April 1965. Electronics Australia began to decline around April 2000, when it changed its name to “ea” (ugh) and not long after that, it ceased to be a hobbyist publication, simply describing the latest gadgets. It was renamed again to “Electronics Australia Today” (EAT) in April 2001. EAT only lasted five issues, the last being September/October 2001. Was that the end of the line for what started as Wireless Weekly? Not quite. Rewinding the clock to 1987, EA editor Leo Simpson was not satisfied with the magazine’s direction. He attempted a management buyout of the magazine and was immediately dismissed. After recovering from the shock, he took that as an opportunity to start a competing magazine. Other key staff members of Electronics Australia (John Clarke, Greg Swain and Bob Flynn) also felt that the magazine was in decline. They decided to leave too, ultimately joining him to start a new magazine: Silicon Chip. EA competed with Silicon Chip for a while under the editorship of Jim Rowe, but when he was let go in September 2000, he ultimately came to join the Silicon Chip team. Electronics Australia did not last much longer after he left. Silicon Chip subsequently bought the rights to all the EA material, including its earlier incarnations: Wireless Weekly, Radio & Hobbies and Radio, TV & Hobbies and even EA’s main competitor, Electronics Today International (ETI). Thus, “the loop was closed”. Silicon Chip is a true successor to Electronics Australia. Because many people don’t know the story behind Electronics Australia and Silicon Chip, we have a fascinating article by Leo Simpson this month (to be concluded next month), starting on page 34. This first article reveals some of what went on behind the scenes at EA and the transition to Silicon Chip. The second part next month will concentrate more on what happened until I took over Silicon Chip in August 2018. One aspect that many Silicon Chip readers probably don’t realise is that the magazine almost failed in its first year. You can read all about that (and more) in Leo’s article. It’s quite incredible to realise that all this was set in motion way back in 1922, when a few radio enthusiasts decided to start a weekly publication for their burgeoning community. I don’t exactly know what the future holds for Silicon Chip, but I certainly plan to keep it going for as long as possible. Another 100 years, perhaps! 24-26 Lilian Fowler Pl, Marrickville 2204 by Nicholas Vinen Technical Staff Jim Rowe – B.A., B.Sc. Bao Smith – B.Sc. Tim Blythman – B.E., B.Sc. Advertising Enquiries Glyn Smith Mobile 0431 792 293 glyn<at>siliconchip.com.au Regular Contributors Allan Linton-Smith Dave Thompson David Maddison – B.App.Sc. (Hons 1), PhD, Grad.Dip.Entr.Innov. Geoff Graham Associate Professor Graham Parslow Dr Hugo Holden – B.H.B, MB.ChB., FRANZCO Ian Batty – M.Ed. Phil Prosser – B.Sc., B.E.(Elec.) Cartoonist Louis Decrevel loueee.com Founding Editor (retired) Leo Simpson – B.Bus., FAICD Silicon Chip is published 12 times a year by Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd. ACN 626 922 870. ABN 20 880 526 923. All material is copyright ©. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Subscription rates (Australia only) 6 issues (6 months): $65 12 issues (1 year): $120 24 issues (2 years): $230 Online subscription (Worldwide) 6 issues (6 months): $50 12 issues (1 year): $95 For overseas rates, see our website or email silicon<at>siliconchip.com.au Recommended & maximum price only. 2  Silicon Chip Australia's electronics magazine siliconchip.com.au