Russell Hobbs is a British manufacturer of household appliances. Founded in 1952 by William Russell and Peter Hobbs, they launched the first automatic kettle in 1955, and became the primary kettle maker in the United Kingdom marketplace in the years that followed. Subjected to many corporate acquisitions through its history, its head office is currently sited in Failsworth, England, although the company has moved its manufacturing operations to China.[2]
History
Founding
After serving with the British Army's REME in World War II, William Russell (22 July 1920 – 16 February 2006), from High Wycombe, joined home appliance manufacturer Morphy Richards and helped to design a pop-up toaster, an electric iron and a hairdryer, when working as Chief Development Engineer. Peter Hobbs (3 May 1916 – 11 April 2008), from Tunbridge Wells, was a major during the war in the Royal Engineers, and he also worked for Morphy Richards, as manager of the South African division of the company.