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:
Dodgem Elevation, c1920 - 1939
Elevation drawings of dodgem paybox and plan.
Dodgem Plan and Elevation, May 1933
Suggestion for dodgem for Leeds Amusement showing floor plan and side elevation, scale 1/4" to 1Ft. Stamped Thomas Lowe and Sons Limited Contractors Burton-on-Trent and Geo. Orton, Sons & Spooner Ltd, Burton-on-Trent.
Dodgem Plan and Elevation, June 1928
Side elevation and floor plan of dodgems for Codona, scale 3/8".
Drawing for Fairground Ride Car Decorations, c1930 - 1939
Design for heavily decorated car with three rows of seats and steering wheel on the front. Pencil on paper.
Drawing for Farrar's Roundabout, c1875 - 1899
Drawing of Farrar’s entrance to roundabout with heavily decorated columns and garlands. Pencil on paper.
Drawing for John Studt Junior Scenic Ride Design, July - August 1922
Plan drawing for John Studt junior scenic with dimensions. Pencil on brown paper.
Drawing for Organ Front Design, c1920 - 1939
Design for an organ front with profuse decorations including scrolls and columns on blue paper.
Drawing for Organ Front Design, c1920 - 1939
Design for an organ front with profuse decorations including scrolls and columns on blue paper.
Drawing for Organ Front Design, c1920 - 1939
Design for organ front on blue paper.
Drawing for Organ Front Design, c1920 - 1939
Design for an organ front with profuse decorations including scrolls and columns on blue paper.
Drawing for Organ Front Design, c1920 - 1939
Design for an organ front with profuse decorations including scrolls and columns on blue paper.
Drawing for Organ Front Design, c1920 - 1939
Design for organ front on blue paper.
Drawing for Organ Front Design, c1920 - 1939
Design for an organ front with profuse decorations including scrolls and columns on blue paper.
Drawing for Organ Front Design, c1920 - 1939
Design for organ front with two dragons on the top section. Pencil on tracing paper and blueprint.
Drawing for Organ Front Design, c1920 - 1939
Design for organ front with a figure of a woman playing the tambourin and a man playing the lute. Pencil on paper.
Drawing for Organ Front Design, c1920 - 1939
Design for an organ front with profuse decorations including scrolls and columns on brown and blue paper.
Drawing for Scenic Ride Car Design, c1920 - 1939
Design for a continuous car for a scenic ride with dragon's head carving at the front, also rearing horse column desing on reverse. Pencil on paper.
Drawing for Smart and Elsom’s Sign Design, c1920 - 1939
Design for Smart and Elsom’s sign, Timber Importers & Merchants, Derby & Hull. Pencil on linen.
Drawing for the Design of a Scenic Ride, c1920 - 1939
Design for ride procenium heavily decorated with eagle and abundant foliage and columns. Pencil on paper.
Drawing for the Design of a Scenic Ride Frontage, c1920 - 1939
Design for a scenic ride procenium, showing, entrance, steps, railing and columns. Pencil on paper.