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:
Plan for Whirlwind Racer Track Blueprint, c1930 - 1939
Blueprint of plan of whrilwind racer track to scale, showing the sleepers and stretchers.
Plan of Clacton Pier, 1932
Block plan of Clacton Pier showing the Blue Lagoon dance hall, the bathing pool, the cinema and Ocean Theatre, the Crystal Casino and Pier Theatre. Scale 40 Ft to 1".
Plan of Fairground Ride Sleepers, c1920 - 1939
Design sections of fairground ride sleepers. Pencil on paper.
Plan of Living Waggon, c1875 - 1900
Floor plan for living wagon showing room layouts. Pencil on paper.
Plan of Manders' Living Waggon, c1875 - 1900
Floor plan of Manders' living waggon 209. Pencil on paper.
Plan of Organ Engine, c1890 - 1920
Floor plan drawing for organ and organ engine, portable engine, double engine and dynamo for electric light. Pen and ink on woven paper.
Plan of Ride Platform, c1920 - 1939
Scale drawing of segment of ride platfrom. Pencil on paper.
Plan of Running Platforms, c1920 - 1939
Section of running platforms plan, scale 1". Stampped Geo. Orton, Sons & Spooner Ltd, Burton-on-Trent.
Plan of Running Platforms Blueprint, c1930 - 1939
Blueprint for plan of running platforms to scale, stamped Geo. Orton, Sons & Spooner Burton on Trent.
Plans, c1916 - 1939
Blueprints of electric parts for fairground rides supplied by Mather & Platt Ltd and Hackett & Co., Electrical Engineers to Orton and Spooner.
Plans and Drawings for Ride Mechanisms and Components, c1890 - 1939
Plans and drawings for ride mechanisms for organs, J. Collins big boats and scenic car axels and boxes, details of horizontal shaft and tee swift for juvenile roundabout, water dodgem drifters, W. Davis top motion gallopers, electric yacht bearings, break return ropes for whirlwind racer, floor bearers and sleepers, helter skelter washer plates, cotter bolts and pins.
Plans and Elevation Drawings for Living Wagons and Transport, c1875 - 1939
Plans and elevation drawings for living wagons including a Church Army wagon, No. 2013 Hackney wagon, Fletcher’s motor van, generic tradesman’s van and interior layouts. Pencil on paper.
Plans and Elevation Drawings for Noah’s Arks, c1880 - 1939
Plans and elevation drawings for Noah’s arks including No. 45, No. 21 and a pay box. Pencil on paper.
Plans and Sketches for Fairground Rides and Shows, c1875 - 1939
Plans and sketches for rides and shows including swings, trusses for roofs, sleepers and railings for G. Green scenic, specifications for sleepers for M & E Hill, design for abreast gallopers crack, entrance plan for Thurston, platform galloping action, boxing boards for C. Heal, chimney centre and joy wheel.
Plans for J. Collins' Big Boats, c1920 - 1939
Design showing floor section of J. Collins' Big Boats ride with annotations. Pencil on paper.
Plans of Sleepers and Floor Bearers, c1920 - 1939
Scaled plans for sleepers and floor bearers for a fairground ride. Pencil on paper.
Platform and Location of Fun Devices Drawing, c1930 - 1939
Layout of platforms with approximate location of fun devices on tracing paper.
Platform and Track Sections Drawing, c1930 - 1939
Drawing showing 25 track sections and 26 platforms, colour wax pencil on tracing paper.
Platform Layout Blueprint, c1930 - 1939
Layout of ride platform.
Platforms and Sections Blueprint, c1930 - 1939
Layout of platforms and sections.