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 93 Collections and/or Records:
Dodgem Car Blueprint, 4 March 1933
Blueprint of side elevation of dodgem car, stamped by The Moss Gear Company Ltd, Birmingham.
Drawings, Samples and Specifications for the Design of Fairground Rides, 1908 - 1937
Drawings, samples and specifications for the design of fairground rides including original drawings on tracing paper by Orton and Spooner, Savages and Supercar Co., for gallopers, arks, coasters, ghost trains, wall of death, haunted houses, water dodgems, planes, etc. A newspaper article from the National Motor Journal, and specifications for Anderton and Rowland and John and Pat Collins.
Electric Lamp Design Blueprint, 7 June 1926
Blueprint for the design of electric lamp, signed G.B. 004894 with drawing on reverse.
Elevation for Roundabout Blueprint, c1930 - 1939
Blueprint of roundabout elevation and paybox to scale, stamped Geo. Orton, Sons & Spooner Ltd, Burton on Trent.
Elevation with End Plate Remover Blueprint, 24 May 1926
Blueprint of diagram of elevation with end plate remover P4c STD, stamped by Mather & Platt Ltd., of Manchester, X15031.
Envelope, c1900 - 1959
Envelope addressed to Mr G. Orton.
External Connections for Type H Single Phase Motor Blueprint, 7 June 1926
Blueprint of external connections for Type H, single phase motor with twin OB switch by Higgs Motors of Birmingham Z580.
F.C Hands Improved Roundabout Blueprint, c1930 - 1939
Plan and side elevations. Patent pending, Eric Potter Chartered Pattent Agent.
Haunted Swing Blueprint, 14 July 1911
Blueprint with details of Haunted Swing's steel framework 1/2 to 1 FT. Contains notes in pencil on reverse.
List of Exhibits, 1975
List of Frederick Savage’s exhibits in King’s Lynn Festival.
Living Wagon Elevation, c1920 - 1939
Side elevation of living wagon, showing external decorations and dimensions, contains written details of specifications on top left hand side.
Living Wagon Elevation, c1875 - 1910
Front and back exterior elevation of No.216 Pullman living wagon, scale 1 and 1/2".
Machine Specifications, 5 July 1911
Roller-Skating Machines specifications and accompanying letter from F.W. Dickinson, Electrical Engineer and Motor Car Dealer to Mr Martin. 4p.p.
Motor for Fairground Ride Blueprint, 30 October 1917
Blueprint of motor for fairground machine made by Higgs Bros of Birmingham for Messrs Davenport, Hackett & Co., Y270.
No.2 Swoop Blueprint, October 1936
Blueprint of No.2 swoop section elevation alteration.
No.4 Gem Roundabout Blueprint, c1930 - 1939
Blueprint of arrangement of No.4 Gem Roundabout hanging rods and shackles, scale 1" by Messrs Orton & Spooner. Drawing W3864 showing different sections, some crossed out.
Noah's Ark Sleepers Blueprint, c1930 - 1939
Noah's Ark sleeper floor plan at half scale, stamped Geo. Orton, Sons & Spooner, Burton on Trent.
Normand Electric Boat Unit Bllueprint, 10 February 1932
Complete boat unit in first go boats by Normand Electric Co., Ltd. Scale full size, drawing No.8336 with accompanying letter.
Over the Top Blueprint, 20 March 1936
Blueprint for arrangement of Over the Top ride by Messrs Orton & Spooner scale 1" to 1 FT O.B355. Drawing W4367, showing front and top elevations.
Photographs, c1900 - 1970
Balck and white photograph and cabinet cards relating to Orton and Spooner of Burton upon Trent and postcards depicting fairs from the turn of the 19th century. Also images related to Philip Swindlehurst’s preservation work