Orange

Founded in 1968 by Cliff Cooper, Orange began when the electronics student and keen musician borrowed £50 to start the Orange Shop, a secondhand musical instrument store at 3 New Compton Street in London's West End. After vendors refused to supply his store due to his youth and countercultural image, Cooper decided to build his own amplifiers. The company's journey started on September 2, 1968, when former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green and road manager Dinky Dawson placed an order for the first Orange PA system. Initially manufacturing through Huddersfield-based Radio Craft, production moved to Short Gardens, London in the early 1970s, then to a larger factory in Bexleyheath, Kent in 1973. Orange became iconic for their distinctive orange Tolex covering, basketweave grille cloth, and 'Pics Only' models featuring symbols instead of text on control panels, establishing the signature 'Orange sound.' Famous musicians including John Lennon, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Paul Kossoff, Marc Bolan, and Brian Jones frequented the shop. The brand gained worldwide recognition after being used on Stevie Wonder's 'Superstition' and has since become synonymous with legendary acts like Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, Slipknot, Iron Maiden, and Rush. Under Cooper's continued leadership as CEO for over 50 years, Orange has expanded into Orange Learn educational platforms, with succession planning through his son Charlie's involvement and key longtime employee Adrian Emsley's technical expertise.