Beginning in 1907, Alex Welker began manufacturing wind-up motors, tone arms and reproducers in Berlin (later Kitchener), Ontario to be used in the hornless phonograph developed by Arthur B. Pollock. In 1923, Welker received Canadian Patent 148,695 for an improved motor-winding mechanism.

The earliest ad I've found that mentions Helycon motors is from October 1922 in which they are being used in the Canadian-made Colonial phonograph which proves that Helycon motors were being supplied to other Canadian phonograph manufacturers/dealers, rather than being merely a Pollock-Welker house component. An ad in the Calgary Albertan newspaper from October 26, 1923 calls Helycon "the finest motor made in Canada".

Talking Machine World, June 15, 1925, p. 154: "Pollock-Welker, Ltd., a recently formed company with an Ontario charter, has purchased the factory, plant and business of the General Phonograph Corp., Ltd., at Kitchener, Ont., and will continue specializing in the manufacture of Helycon phonograph motors, tone-arms and reproducers, which are so favorably known to the trade in Canada and on the other side of the line. The principals of the newly organized corporation have been active in the business of phonograph manufacture for many years. Arthur B. Pollock is one of the pioneers of the industry. Alexander H. Welker has been associated with Mr. Pollock in motor development and production and when the General Phonograph Corp., Ltd., purchased the business of the Pollock Mfg. Co., Ltd., a few years ago. Mr. Welker continued the factory superintendency while Mr. Pollock was general manager. In order to create an outlet for one of their models of the Helycon motor, Pollock-Welker, Ltd., are introducing a portable phonograph.

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Calgary Albertan, October 26, 1923, p7. "...Helycon motor, the finest motor made in Canada."



Talking Machine World, November 1926, p. 143.