Amidst great excitement, French and Mackintosh finally perfected the loudspeaker design and, now joined by Cyril’s other brother Ralph French, began manufacturing upstairs while Leonard & Edgar French continued below with the plating business. The original Mackintosh design employed a free-vibrating edge and was filed for patent on December 15th 1923 and issued as British Patent No. 230,552 on March 16th 1925. The modified French/Mackintosh design used a clamped edge and was filed October 24th 1925 and issued on January 14th 1926 as British Patent No. 245,704. These numbers can be found on all early Celestion loud speakers.

    The conical paper diaphragm was strengthened with strips of bamboo imported from China. The driving mechanism at this time was a moving-iron balanced-armature type.

    This was the time of the infancy of wireless, which was viewed by the majority of the population as the modern wonder. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) had been formed in August 1922, registered on 15th December of that year, but actually began radio broadcasting on 14th November, 1922 on 369 meters with the call sign 2LO. After the success of the London station two further stations were opened at Birmingham on 5IT and Manchester on 2ZY.

    Receivers were of two types; the valve set, which was regarded by the populace as ‘awesome’, and the more simple crystal receiver - the initiation of many to the marvels of wireless. Easy to tune, low-cost and a good variety of manufacturers made this the more popular receiver, many thousands of which were produced by home constructors. Earphones, comprising two coils wound on a horseshoe magnet vibrating a metal plate, were essential in order to convert the weak signals into sound - a far different state of affairs from the present day.

    It was into this world that the new Celestion speakers made their way, becoming a necessary component of the new valve receivers that appeared as a result of the BBC stepping up transmitter power, and also providing alternative programmes. Powerful wireless transmitting stations also appeared in Europe, and it became possible to pick up their programmes via the new more selective wireless receivers. The era of earphones passed, to be replaced by the free standing horn reminiscent of the ornate specimens beloved by the gramophone enthusiasts.

    These cumbersome sound appliances gradually gave way to the separate loudspeaker cabinet, always regarded as a piece of furniture and often highly decorative as it took pride of place in the lounge, or ‘front room’.

    The ‘Celestion’ loud speaker was launched early in 1925 by The Electrical Manufacturing and Plating Company at a retail price of six pounds ten shillings, with a choice of oak, walnut or mahogany cabinet. It was sold as ‘The Loud Speaker of Distinction’ and was favourably reviewed in Popular Wireless and Wireless Review, April 25th 1925 as "a high-class instrument capable of high-class performances". It was Ralph French who devised the ingenious name Celestion with heavenly connotations. He was also responsible for the cabinet designs and advertising. However, Cyril French was the driving force behind the business, which at this time was highly successful and lucrative. An associated company, Constable-Celestion, was formed in Paris, and export by air took place from Croydon airport.

    The first Celestion product was followed shortly afterwards by a complete range comprising models A1, A2, A3, A4 & A5.

    In 1927 the Celestion Radio Company and Celestion Limited were formed. Models C10, C12, C14 and C24 were produced with a price range of £5 10s to £25. The model C10 was claimed to be ‘the finest loud-speaker procurable at the price’. Popular Wireless of 31st March 1928 described the C12 as "a long way ahead of its class". At this time, and for many years to follow, Celestion advertising carried the phrase ‘ The Very Soul of Music’.

    With such a burgeoning trade, a move to large-scale manufacturing premises was inevitable. In 1929 Celestion Ltd. moved to a site opposite Norbiton Church at 145 London Road, Kingston-upon-Thames, shown as the ‘Gramophone Works’ on this 1932 Ordnance map: