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:
Platforms and Sections Blueprint, c1930 - 1939
Layout of platforms and sections.
Platforms Drawing, c1930 - 1939
Black wax pencil on tracing paper.
Platforms Drawing, c1930 - 1939
Colour wax pencil on tracing paper.
Platforms Drawing, c1930 - 1939
Pencil on tracing paper.
Policeman and Performing Dog Drawing, c1900 - 1929
Desing for gondola car showing a policeman on one end of the car and a dog on a ball, balancing an object on his nose. Pencil on paper.
Positive Drive for Boats Blueprint, c1930 - 1939
Blueprint showing the proposed positive drive for boats by Testi & Company Engineers, Whitley Road, London, N17.
Procenium Decoration, c1890 - 1900
Sketch for the design of the decoration of a section of a ride's procenium with scrolls and foliage. Pencil on paper.
Proposed Arrangement for Rollabout Blueprint, c1930 - 1939
Blueprint showing the plan and side elevation of 25 feet diameter track for a rollabout with 20 cars. Drawing No.4.
Proposed Canopy for Opera House Building Blueprint, c1930 - 1939
Proposed canopy design for Burton on Trent Opera House showing a front elevation, canopy, decorative glass and other decorative elements. Drawing 16A.
Provisional Specification for Improvement in Apparatus for Recreation and Amusement, 9 May 1908 - 16 December 1919
Provisional specification for improvement in apparatus for recreation and amusement, including diagrams of the invention, issued to Tom Charles Bland 9th May 1908 and letter from T. C. Bland W. J. Lake, inventors of spiral apparatus for amusements for the use of the patent.
Pulley End Cover Blueprint, 8 November 1917
Blueprint of diagram of pulley end cover P&K3c STD, X25148.
Pulley End Cover Blueprint, 16 August 1911
Pulley end cover for P3 motor, full size by Mather and Platt Ltd Manchester. Drawing X7610.
Queen Post Truss Plan, 11 December 1888
Section elevations of the queen post truss for roof, signed C.J. Spooner Burton. Pencil on paper.
Race Track Plan, 1934
Plan for No.2 race car track for John Collins, scale 1/2".
Racer Drawing, c1930 - 1949
Sketch showing a racing car being driven at high speed. Pencil on grid lined paper.
Rail Ride Plan, July 1932
Floor plan for rail ride, scale 1".
Ramp Bracing Blueprint, 26 May 1928
Blueprint showing the ramp bracing for a Whirlwind Racer with table of dimensions by Traver Engineering Co, Beaver Falls, P.A.
Ramp for Loading Shed Blueprint, 7 July 1928
Blueprint showing ramp for loading shed for Whirlwind Racer with table of dimensions by Traver Engineering Co, Beaver Falls, P.A.
Ramp Hand Rail Blueprint, 24 July 1928
Blueprint showing the ramp hand rail of a Whirlwind Racer with table of dimensions by Traver Engineering Co, Beaver Falls, P.A.
Ramp Loading Shed Blueprint, 20 July 1928
Blueprint showing the ramp loading shed of a Whirlwind Racer with table of dimensions.