Born in Vienna to Jewish parents, Jules Thorn was conscripted into the Austrian Army during World War I. After the War he studied at the Handelshochschule (Business School) in Vienna. In 1926 Olso went bankrupt and he chose to set up business on his own trading as the Electric Lamp Service Company.
In 1923 Thorn moved to the United Kingdom as representative for Olso, an Austrian manufacturer of gas mantles. In 1936 he diversified into manufacturing and expanded the company into one of the largest electrical businesses in the country, Thorn Electrical Industries. He was knighted in 1964.
In 1970 Thorn retired from full-time involvement in the business to devote himself to his racehorses and his collection of Impressionist paintings.
Only in 1976 did he retire as Chairman of the business. Sir Jules was a noted philanthropist supporting many medical, educational, artistic and humanitarian charities and endeavours.
A large number of legal and medical scholarships as well as museums carry his name. Thorn died in Westminster on 12 December 1980, not long after seeing his company"s successful takeover of its long-time rival Electric and Music Industries.
