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:
Arrangement of P3c Machine Blueprint, 17 May 1925
Blueprint of arrangement of P3c Machine, type open end bracket, stamped by Mather & Platt Ltd., of Manchester Print No.13264.
Arrangement of P3c Machine Blueprint, 9 November 1925
Blueprint of arrangement of P3c Machine, type open end bracket, stamped by Mather & Platt Ltd., of Manchester Print No.20549.
Arrangement of P3c Machine Blueprint, 26 January 1917
Blueprint of arrangement of P3c Machine, types (O.P & E.V) stamped by Mather & Platt Ltd., of Manchester, X23110 Print No.6730.
Arrangement of P4c Machine Blueprint, 17 March 1926
Blueprint of arrangement of P4c Machine, type open ended bracket, stamped by Mather & Platt Ltd., of Manchester, Print No.21651.
Arrangement of P6c Machine Blueprint, 8 February 1917
Blueprint of arrangement of P6c Machine, types (O.P) stamped by Mather & Platt Ltd., of Manchester, X23113 Print No.6058.
Arrangement of P7c Machine Blueprint, 11 September 1925
Blueprint of arrangement of P7c Machine, stamped by Mather & Platt Ltd., of Manchester, X42430.
Arrangement of P8c Machine Blueprint, 5 August 1919
Blueprint of arrangement of P8c Machine, stamped by Mather & Platt Ltd., of Manchester, X27936.
Arrangement of P8c Machine Blueprint, 5 August 1919
Blueprint of arrangement of P8c Machine, stamped by Mather & Platt Ltd., of Manchester, X27936.
Arrangement of P8c Machine Blueprint, 5 August 1919
Blueprint of arrangement of P8c Machine, stamped by Mather & Platt Ltd., of Manchester, X27936.
Arrangement of P9c Scenic Machine Blueprint, 7 June 1917
Blueprint of arrangement of P9c Scenic railway (O.P), shaft details, stamped by Davenport, Hackett & Co., and Mather & Platt Ltd., of Manchester X24852.
Arrangement of P.a Machines Blueprint, 9 May 1913
Blueprint of arrangement of Pa Machines (O.P), for Baxendale & Co., Ltd., stamped by Mather & Platt Ltd., of Manchester X12860 with specifications.
Arrangement of Swing, 14 January 1935
Front and side elevation of swing, showing mechanical components, scale 3/4". Signed Orton, Sons & Spooner, drawing number W4345.
Arrangement of Truck Boiler Elevation, 8 October 1887
Elevation drawing of arrangement of 2 and 1/2 H.P. Locoboiler for fixing on truck, scale 1 and 1/2". Designed by Robey and Co. Engineers Lincon.
Arrangment of P3 Machine Blueprint, 10 August 1911
Arrangement of P3 machine scale 1/4 size, output 3 1/2-4 1/2 HP, 110 volts, 800/650 RPM by Mather and Platt Ltd Manchester. Drawing X7576.
Arrangment of P3 Machine Blueprint, 10 August 1911
Arrangement of P3 machine scale 1/4 size, output 3 1/2-4 1/2 HP, 110 volts, 800/650 RPM by Mather and Platt Ltd Manchester. Drawing X7576.
Arrest Drawing, c1930 - 1949
Sketch showing a boy standing next to his car on the road and a policeman writing a ticket. Pencil on grid lined paper.
Auto Ride Motor Track Blueprint, c1930 - 1939
Drawing showing plan and side elevation. Scale 1/4" to 1 FT.
Auto Skooter Dodgem Elevation, c1930 - 1939
Elevation and plan of Auto Skooter dodgem for Blackpool, Olympia, showing the front of the ride decorated in an Arabic style. Stamped A.L. Mazzei, 52 Hertford Avenue, East Sheen, London, S.W.14. Scale 1/2" to 1Ft.
Auto Skooter Dodgem Elevation, c1930 - 1939
Front and side elevation and floor plan for Auto Skooter dodgem.
Axle Bevel Wheel Blueprint, c1930 - 1939
Blueprint for Axle bevel wheel. Patt No. L139.