In the mid-1930s, the landscape of household convenience was on the cusp of a revolution. Electrical appliances, which today are staples in homes worldwide, were then luxuries accessible to only a select few. It was against this backdrop that Morphy Richards was born, a brand that would go on to become a cornerstone among small appliances brands and a leader among household appliances manufacturers.
The inception of Morphy Richards in 1936 by technical engineer Donal Morphy and sales champion Charles Richards was driven by a shared vision: to make high-quality, well-designed domestic electrical appliances affordable for every household. This vision was not just about creating products; it was about enhancing the quality of life for the average family, making everyday tasks easier and more enjoyable.
Morphy and Richards, both born in the year 1900, brought together a unique blend of technical skill and marketing insight. Their partnership was forged from a shared history at Graham Farish in Bromley, where Morphy’s production expertise and Richards’ sales acumen had first intersected. Their collaboration resulted in the establishment of a company that would manufacture and sell various electrical equipment, marking the beginning of a new era in household convenience.
The first factory, set up in an oast house in St Mary Cray, was modest in size but ambitious in vision. Here, Morphy Richards introduced its first product, a 2kW radiant fire, priced significantly lower than its competitors, making it accessible to a broader audience. However, it was the electric temperature-controlled iron, launched in 1937, that truly showcased the brand’s innovative spirit. Known as the Senior, this iron featured a pilot light indicating when the correct temperature for ironing specific fabrics had been reached—a revolutionary feature at the time.
The success of these initial products was a testament to the company’s far-sightedness, combining technical skill, design flair, and marketing wisdom. By 1939, the factory had expanded significantly, and Morphy Richards was producing 1,000 irons daily, with exports reaching across the globe. The brand’s commitment to quality and innovation was further demonstrated by its ability to produce a wide range of variations to meet the diverse needs of international markets.
Despite the challenges posed by the Second World War, Morphy Richards quickly resumed production, with irons rolling off the production line at an impressive rate of 5,000 per week shortly after VJ Day in 1945. The post-war years saw a continued struggle against shortages and restrictions, but the brand’s commitment to expanding its product range and enhancing living standards remained unwavering.
The opening of a new 80,000 sq ft factory in 1952 marked a significant milestone in the company’s history, allowing for increased production in response to growing demand. This expansion was not just about size; it was about embracing innovation, with the new factory featuring mechanized processes to increase productivity and reduce costs.
Today, Morphy Richards stands as a testament to the vision of its founders, continuing to lead the way in developing small appliances that make life easier and more enjoyable. From its humble beginnings in an oast house in Kent to becoming a global leader in household appliances, Morphy Richards’ journey is a story of innovation, quality, and the enduring power of smart ideas.