THORN Electrical Industries Ltd. was started by Jules Thorn in March 1928 as The Electric Lamp Service Company Ltd.. The current name was adopted in November 1936. The original business was to manufacture and sell electric lamps; later they began to diversify. By buying Ferguson Radio Corporation (in 1936), Ultra Radio & Television (in 1961) and some other acquisitions, Thorn became Britain's largest television and radio manufacturer.

In October 1979 THORN Electrical Industries Ltd. merged with EMI to form Thorn EMI, one of the largest operating companies in the United Kingdom. On August 16 1996, Thorn EMI shareholders voted in favour of demerger proposals creating EMI Group plc and Thorn plc. In June 1998, the investment bank Nomura of Japan acquired THORN for £980m.

Electronics companies of the United Kingdom