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Byer 66 Tape Recorder

Electronics Australia of August 1995, Neville Williams in his series of articles "When I Think Back..." wrote about Max Byer. In this article Jack Richardson, one-time factory foreman at Byer Industries recalled much the history of the company.

Of particular interest was some information about the Byer 66, following is a quote from the article: "The Byer 66 was intended for the more demanding commercial market, and avoided the use of pressure pads and complex wrap-arounds for the tape. Well ahead of other portables. it was typically used for high-speed copying of speech and for background music at funeral services and other public gatherings. In fact, Jack says that its performance was such that it was regarded as a neo-professional machine, "with very few shortcomings". Basic amplifiers and auxiliary tuner, etc., for the Byer 66 were manufactured by Zephyr Products but were married to the tape system and double-checked at the Dorcas Street factory. Following the 66 came the 77 Mk I, Byer's first three-motor plus solenoid operated deck."

To me the Byer 66 is a bit of a phantom its there and then it isn't. The above quotation would imply that the Byer 66 was designed and built from about 1952 to 1956. It was supposed to have been designed before the Byer 77 Mk I and you would expect that production of the 66 would have ceased at about the time the 66 Mk II was released in October 1956. Further, this quote implies that the Byer 66 did not have a three motor transport and possibly didn't use solenoid operation, unlike the Byer 66 Mk II. While I've been collecting this type of equipment (38 years) I have never seen a real Byer 66. Further, I've found no advertising material or any other documentation which might indicate the Byer 66 did in fact exist. People in the past have told me that they have seen one, or had, or have one. When I investigate further, usually it is a Byer 66 Mk II or a Byer 77 (Mk I). In an oral history interview for the National Library of Australia, May 2000, Graham Thirkell talks about his work at Byer Industries from 1952 through to the late 1960's with Rola/Plessey. The Byer 55 and 77 tape machines are mentioned but no 66. It is quite likely that there was only ever a Byer 66 Mk II. If, however, you do have Byer 66 that isn't a Mk II please send me a photo.