Frederick James Camm
Encyclopedia
Frederick James Camm was an English technical author and magazine editor. He founded several radio and electronics titles, some of which are still in circulation.
'FJ' Camm was born in Windsor
, England
, the second child of twelve. The eldest, Sydney Camm, was a famous aircraft designer.
He shared with Sydney an early interest in building model aeroplanes and this led him to move to London
in 1918. Here, he became a technical editor
for Benn Brothers in aviation and engineering. From there he worked for Pitmans Publishers and moved eventually, with his friend Molloy, to George Newnes
. It was there that he was to produce the Hobbies journals.
In 1932, his supplement to Practical Wireless was launched as an independent title with 'FJ' as editor. Thus began a highly productive period: he went on to write or edit over a hundred technical books in such fields as radio
; television
; aviation
and automotive engineering
.
He is best known, however, for his creation and stewardship of the Practical series of magazines for George Newnes. These were often known as Camm's Comics:
Camm died of bronchial pneumonia
at his home in Windsor and is buried in the family grave at Twickenham
Cemetery.
Practical Television was shortened to simply Television and, after changes of ownership, was finally withdrawn from publication in June 2008.
'FJ' Camm was born in Windsor
Windsor, Berkshire
Windsor is an affluent suburban town and unparished area in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire, England. It is widely known as the site of Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of the British Royal Family....
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, the second child of twelve. The eldest, Sydney Camm, was a famous aircraft designer.
He shared with Sydney an early interest in building model aeroplanes and this led him to move to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1918. Here, he became a technical editor
Editing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete...
for Benn Brothers in aviation and engineering. From there he worked for Pitmans Publishers and moved eventually, with his friend Molloy, to George Newnes
George Newnes
Sir George Newnes, 1st Baronet was a publisher and editor in England.-Background and education:...
. It was there that he was to produce the Hobbies journals.
In 1932, his supplement to Practical Wireless was launched as an independent title with 'FJ' as editor. Thus began a highly productive period: he went on to write or edit over a hundred technical books in such fields as radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
; television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
; aviation
Aviation
Aviation is the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft. Aviation is derived from avis, the Latin word for bird.-History:...
and automotive engineering
Automotive engineering
Modern automotive engineering, along with aerospace engineering and marine engineering, is a branch of vehicle engineering, incorporating elements of mechanical, electrical, electronic, software and safety engineering as applied to the design, manufacture and operation of motorcycles, automobiles,...
.
He is best known, however, for his creation and stewardship of the Practical series of magazines for George Newnes. These were often known as Camm's Comics:
- Practical Engineering - published weekly from 27 January 1940
- Practical Home Money Maker
- Practical Household
- Practical MechanicsPractical MechanicsPractical Mechanics was a monthly British magazine devoted mostly to home mechanics and technology. It was first published by George Newnes, Ltd., in October 1933, and ran for 352 issues until the magazine's termination in August 1963. Practical Mechanics was edited by Frederick J...
- Practical Motorist
- Practical TelevisionPractical TelevisionPractical Television, later known as Television and subsequently Television & Consumer Electronics, was a UK magazine for the electronics/TV servicing trade, enthusiasts, and the general public....
- Practical WirelessPractical WirelessPractical Wireless is a British radio and electronics magazine, now published monthly by PW Publishing of Broadstone, Dorset. The current editor is Rob Mannion....
- still in publication
Camm died of bronchial pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
at his home in Windsor and is buried in the family grave at Twickenham
Twickenham
Twickenham is a large suburban town southwest of central London. It is the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and one of the locally important district centres identified in the London Plan...
Cemetery.
Practical Television was shortened to simply Television and, after changes of ownership, was finally withdrawn from publication in June 2008.