Donald C Brown, attended Wesley College, leaving with Honours, then attended the University of Melbourne where he obtained a Degree in Architecture. In 1933 he entered the employment of the Melbourne Company, Brooks Robinson Pty Ltd to design Light Fittings. He exploited new fields in lighting and introduced the first interpretation of built-in light fittings and down-lights.
In 1937 he was appointed Manager of the Architectural lighting section of Brooks Robinson Pty Ltd. In 1938 he toured USA on behalf of the company to study lighting trends and applied illuminating engineering where he observed the early use of fluorescent lighting at the New York World Fair also visiting 18 other cities to study lighting trends.
In 1940, he served in the air crew in the RAAF as a Flight Navigator, 205 Squadron, serving in the UK, Middle East, India, Burma, and South Africa. In 1945, achieving the rank of Flight Lieutenant.
After the War, he re-entered the employment of Brooks Robinson where he recommended the manufacture of stock fitting for architecture and to anticipate the growing awareness of the Australian Public to modern design lighting which was not accepted by the Directors of the Company.
Henceforth, in 1947, he registered the Company, Brown Evans and Co, in equal partnership with David Evans and Ivor Evans as financial partners. The object being to introduce a range of light fittings with modern lighting properties and architectural appeal, including recessed downlighting and wall lighting under the brand name BECO.
Over the following years, Brown designed the company’s first range of spun lighting ware in aluminium and copper, including ceiling fittings with adjustable swivel brackets, downlighting for home lighting, all packaged with a set pricing structure.
In 1956, he toured USA and Europe to explore commercial incandescent lighting applications, henceforth introducing the companies first series of square and round down lights at the companies address at Berkley street, Carlton.
In 1960, Brown bought out the Evans brothers shares and formed the company, BECO Lighting Pty Ltd as the sole Managing Director. Donald Brown had a long and glittering career in Lighting Design, was an associate of I.E.S after 1936 where he was on the member council for three years presenting twelve papers and in 1939, introduced the “Award for Lighting in Architecture”. He was also was also an Associate of the Industrial Institute of Australia. A.I.D.I.A.
Tragically Donald C Brown died as the result of a motor vehicle accident in 1964. This entry was written by Geoffrey Clarke. This concise information was provided by Donald C Brown’s son, Guy Brown.
- Writers:
-
Geoffrey Clarke
Michael Bogle
- Date written:
- 2016
- Last updated:
- 2016
