Photograph of the manufacture of Olympic Torches for 1948 London Olympic, taken by Planet News Limited.

Description on verso: 'Two thousand torches are now being made at the H.M.V works at Hayes, Middlesex, on the western outskirts of London. The first 350 will be sent by warship to Malta for the opening of the run. Each torch bearer is to run two miles, lighting the next torch in the chain. Solid fuel in the top canister of the torch ensures a steady flame during the run.'

EMI, who were best known for making radio, television and music recording and playback equipment, manufactured the torches used in the 1948 London Olympic torch relay (which was the second Olympic torch relay ever, following the 1936 Berlin Olympics). However, only the very end of the relay, when the final torch was brought into the stadium, was televised.