George Orton, Sons & Spooner Ltd (1875 - 1977)
Dates
- Existence: 1875 - 1977
- Usage: 1925 - 1977
Biography
Orton, Sons and Spooner Ltd., were an engineering company, which produced some of the most sophisticated and sought after rides, wagons and show fronts in the British fairgrounds at the turn of the nineteenth century. The company gained an unrivalled reputation, applying industrial and artistic design to produce some of the most spectacular rides in the sector through a combination of innovative engineering, entrepreneurship and decorative finishes applied by some of the best artists and carvers in the trade.
Orton and Spooner elevated ride manufacturing from its humble man and animal powered beginnings in the pre-industrial revolution to sensorial experiences of beauty, speed, discovery and thrill, matching the social aspirations of an entire nation.
George Orton first stablished the Lion Carriage Works in 1875, making Gipsy and other transportation wagons. It wasn't until 1883 that Orton started trading with fairground showmen by building highly decorative living wagons, which exteriors worked as showfonts. This diversification signified the company’s transition from the transport industry to the entertainment industry.
Charles Spooner was a skilled woodcarver mainly supplying the thriving Burton-on-Trent brewing industry with drays and handcarts. Spooner set up his own business in 1892. His impressive finesse as a woodcarver brought him to the attention of George Orton in 1894. Initially, Orton sub-contracted Spooner to supply carvings for his living wagons and showfronts. Their skills were so complementary that the business became dependant on each other and Orton and Spooner entered into a long partnership, which resulted in the amalgamation of their companies in 1925.
The manufacturing of living wagons soon evolved into lavish showfronts and ambitious rides that dominated the market, especially after the company’s main competitor, Fredrick Savage of King’s Lynn, went into liquidation in 1910.
The company was requisitioned by the government during both world wars; during WWI to manufacture portable aircraft hangers and during WWII to build military vehicles.
Orton and Spooner managed to resume business in the supply of the entertainment sector after both wars, but started winding down the manufacturing of fairground equipment after WWII as the company experienced the effects of fundamental changes on labour conditions and market demand.
From the end of WWII until 1953 they diversified into the manufacturing of light engineering products to offset the unpredictability of the entertainment sector. Orton, Sons and Spooner Ltd., finally stopped trading in fairground equipment in 1954 to specialise exclusively in the manufacturing of mechanical handling equipment until 1977 when the company finally closed.
Found in 806 Collections and/or Records:
Accident Drawing, c1930 - 1949
Sketch showing a car crashing onto a rock and a boy being thrown over the bonnet. Pencil on grid lined paper.
Account Books, 1923 - 1928
Account books, including multiple lose items.
Acquisition Letter, 1976
Letters regarding the acquisition of Orton and Spooner material. Typescript.
Aeroplane Drawing, c1930 - 1949
Sketch showing a boy and a girl standing next to an aroplane. Pencil on grid lined paper.
Alpine Turns Ride Car Blueprint, 14 September 1935
Blueprint showing the rear view of a car by Norman Bartlett N Tonawanda N.Y scale 3".
Alpine Turns Ride Cars Blueprint, 13 September 1935
Blueprint for Alpine turns ride cars, side elevation to scale by Norman Bartlett, N. Tonawanda N.Y., AT 1500.
Alpine Turns Ride Cars Blueprint, 14 September 1935
Blueprint for Alpine turns ride cars, plan view to scale by Norman Bartlett, N. Tonawanda N.Y., AT 1502.
American Figure Eight Track Plan, c1920 - 1939
Floor plan for ride track, drawn on linen.
American Ghost Train Blueprint, 1931
Portable cradle constructions Pretzel for American ghost train, showing cradle cross sections and cradle joints.
Architectural Elevation Drawings for Buildings, c1900 - 1939
Architectural elevation drawings for buildings including the Burton-on-Tent Opera House and proposed alterations to the Swan Inn in Burton-on-Trent. Pencil and colour pencils on paper and tracing paper.
Area Plan for Commercial Development, 31 October 1911
Area plan from County Borough of Burton-upon-Trent commercial development, site No.11, scale 1/500th.
Ark Plan, c1880 - 1899
Large ark monkey board plan, scale 1".
Ark Platform Plan, c1920 - 1939
Floor plan for platform for small ark at Rhyl amusement park.
Arrangement for Dynamic Clapper Blueprint, c1930 - 1939
Blueprint of arrangement for Dynamic Clapper, Req. No.762c, drawing No.4363/39 with note on reverse of Hackett & Co., Electrical Engineers, sale agents for Mather and Platt card.
Arrangement of D.C. Motor (T.P.13) Blueprint, 2 February 1925
Blueprint of arrangement of D.C. Motor(T.P. 13), stamped by Mather & Platt Ltd., of Manchester X39,245.A.
Arrangement of KS Tangye Gas Engine Blueprint, 18 December 1909
Blueprint for arrangement of KS Tangye gas engine to scale, drawing No.256, signed Messrs G. Orton & Sons Princess Street, Burton.
Arrangement of Machine P2c STD Blueprint, 9 September 1918
Blueprint of arrangement of Machine P2c STD types (O.P & E.V), stamped by Mather & Platt Ltd., of ManchesterX23.109 print No.12580.
Arrangement of No.4 Ghost Train Track Blueprint, 2 February 1932
Blueprint showing the arrangement of the ghost train track for Belle Vue by Messrs Orton, Sons & Spooner Ltd. scale 3/8". Drawing X481.
Arrangement of P3 Machine Blueprint, 31 August 1921
Blueprint of arrangement of P3 Machine, TP Scenic Motor, stamped by Mather & Platt Ltd., of Manchester, X32,392.
Arrangement of P.3 Machine Blueprint, 31 August 1921
Scale 1/4 size, dimensions in milimitres and inches. Drawing X32,329. Contains notes.