Among many other things, Sylvia Medcraft should be remembered as
the UKs first licensed lady radio ham. She and Harry worked
together in the 1930's as they developed the revolutionary Marconi
ribbon microphone which was to become the industry standard until
after the war.
I spent many happy hours with them as they were developing their
perforator in the 1960s. Their hospitality was legendary. If you
visited for Sunday lunch, you invariably found yourself being
presented by Sylvia with a full English breakfast on Monday morning
before rushing off to work. The visits, which were accompanied by
Duo-Art rolls on the Steinway or Wagner from the hi-fi, almost always
lasted all night !
Sylvia was a highly skilled engineer, and she and Harry were a
remarkable team. Harry was the designer and Sylvia did much of the
actual construction work. It's good to know that their perforator
is receiving a new lease of life with the Pianola Institute. I wonder
if anyone will notice that all the screw slots line up. She would have
it no other way !
Richard Stibbons
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