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:
Electric Yachts Elevation, February 1915
End side elevation of large boat framework, scale 1".
Electric Yachts' Section Detail, 27 February 1915
Detail of large boats pedestal, full bracing of shaft and pedestal, scale 3".
Elephant Scene Drawing, c1900 - 1929
Sketch of humorous scene showing an elephant pulling a man dressed in Asian style clothing on a small cart. Pencil on grid lined paper.
Elevation Drawing for No.45 Ark, c1930 - 1939
Desing for No.45 Ark frontage with annotations on timber specifications, drawn to scale. Pencil on paper.
Elevation Drawings of The Church Army Waggon, c1875 - 1900
Design for the Church Army waggon, side view and floor plan, signed G. Orton & Sons, Lion Carriage Works Burton on Trent. Pencil on paper.
Elevation for Roundabout Blueprint, c1930 - 1939
Blueprint of roundabout elevation and paybox to scale, stamped Geo. Orton, Sons & Spooner Ltd, Burton on Trent.
Elevation of Burton Bridge, c1930 - 1939
Plan for the widening of Burton bridge, also showing the north elevation of the existing bridge.
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.
Extension to Ghost Train Track Blueprint, 29 April 1932
Extension to No.13 track for Belle Vue ghost train, scale 3/8" by Messrs Orton, Sons & Spooner. Drawing X469a.
Extension to No.13 Track Blueprint, 28 April 1932
Blueprint showing extension track for Belle Vue No.13 ride by Messrs Orton, Sons & Spooner Ltd. Drawing X469A.
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.
Fairground Ride Layout Plans and Blueprints, c1921 - 1939
Layout sketches and blueprints for Ghost Train tracks and details drawings, as well as blueprints of sections of cradles, including design for Belle Vue, Brixton, Bournemouth, Weymouth and Hastings.
F.C Hands Improved Roundabout Blueprint, c1930 - 1939
Plan and side elevations. Patent pending, Eric Potter Chartered Pattent Agent.
Fire Engine Drawing, c1930 - 1949
Sketch showing a fire engine driven by two children and a small girl seating on the grass. Pencil on grid lined paper.
Fireplace Sketches, c1875 - 1899
Sketch showing two designs for fireplaces. Pencil on paper.
Fisheman and Sea Monster Drawing, c1900 - 1929
Design for gondola car showing a male fisheman on one end of the car and a sea monster type of creature on the other. Pencil on paper.
Fisherman and Fish Drawing, c1900 - 1929
Sketch of humorous fishing scene showing fisherman on a river bank being scared by a large fish jumping out of the water. Pencil on grid lined paper.
Flat Truck Plan, 1904
Elevation and plan drawings of section of flat truck.
Floor for Ghost Train Blueprint, 24 June 1931
Purpose wood floor for ghost train, Bournemouth track by Messrs Orton, Sons & Spooner Ltd, scale 1/4". Darwing Y216.