BWD

BWD Electronics was an Australian manufacturer of electronic test equipment from the 1950s through to the mid-1990s. While they manufactured a range of Test and measurement equipment over the years, they are best known for their Oscilloscopes.

BWD was founded mid-1955 by John Beesley, Peter Wingate and Bob Dewey. The name BWD was derived from the first letter of each of their surnames. B.W.D. ELECTRONICS PROPRIETARY LIMITED was first registered on the 21st of July 1955. McVan Instruments, 58 Geddes Street, PO Box 298, Mulgrave, Victoria 3170 AUSTRALIA. While Peter Wingate and Bob Dewey did not remain involved in the company, John Beesley (who designed most of the equipment) remained in the company until 1989 when he went to work for Cochlear.

Their first premises were rented in Auburn Rd, Auburn near the Geebung hotel in 1956. By 1966 BWD employed around 80 people and moved to 333 Burke Road, Gardner and remained there until the building was to be demolished to make way for the South Eastern [Monash] freeway in 1972. They then moved to Miles street in Mulgrave..

BWD Electronics was purchased by McVan Instruments, currently part of the Observator B.V. group of the Netherlands.

The use of commonly available components to build equipment had the effect of limiting performance, however it means that BWD equipment is still serviceable to this day, making it popular with Australian electronics hobbyists.

In 1977 BWD released the 880 Powerscope, an oscilloscope designed for looking at mains power. That oscilloscope subsequently won an Australian design award.