October 2007 marks the 50th anniversary of Which? magazine, which has been ceaselessly testing products and campaigning on behalf of consumers since its first publication.
Founded by Michael Young in 1957, it started life in a converted garage in Bethnal Green. Young went on to set up other insitutions including the Open University. The first products tested were aspirins and kettles, and the magazine flew off the shelves. Within one week of the initial publication, there were 7,000 subscribers.
It’s now the second largest national consumer organisation, aiming to offer unbiased advice about products.
“Although we’ve widened the range of issues we cover and the number of products we test each year, Which? has been consistent over the last five decades in its commitment to making individuals as powerful as the organisations they deal with in their daily lives,” says Peter Vicary-Smith, Chief Executive of Which?
“Our relentless campaigning has improved product safety and given consumers more rights. Today, Which? continues to guide people through an ever-increasing choice of products and services and to campaign on the issues that really matter to consumers.”
