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:
Hand Rail Posts Blueprint, 25 July 1928
Blueprint showing hand rail posts with special bolts for Whirlwind Racer with table of dimensions by Traver Engineering Co, Beaver Falls, P.A.
Haunted Swing Blueprint, 20 July 1911
Blueprint showing detail of swing and seats, scale 3/4".
Haunted Swing Blueprint, 14 July 1911
Blueprint with details of Haunted Swing's steel framework 1/2 to 1 FT. Contains notes in pencil on reverse.
Headed Paper, c1894 - 1939
Orton and Spooner memorandum headed paper, 2p.p.
Helter Skelter Elevation, 1928
Front elevation of neoclasical and Egyptian style design helter skelter.
Helter Skelter Elevation, 1914
Helter skelter structure arrangement for Proctor with notes.
Helter Skelter Elevation, 1934
Front elevation and plan of helter skelter.
Hunting Scene Drawing, c1900 - 1929
Sketch of humorous hunting scene showing a hunter a lion and a bear on the side of a mountain. Pencil on grid lined paper.
Inclined Roundabout Blueprint, c1935
Arrangement of inclined roundabout.
Inclined Roundabout Blueprint, 27 March 1935
Detail of pulling rod for inclined roundabout by Orton, Sons & Spooner. Drawing W4420, scale half size.
Jackstand Blueprint, 29 January 1929
Blueprint showing jackstands type G for American Whirlwind Racer by Traver Engineering Co, Beaver Falls, P.A. with dimensions table.
Jackstand Blueprint, 19 May 1928
Blueprint showing type D jacktands or ledgers for Whirlwind Racer with table of dimensions by Traver Engineering Co, Beaver Falls, P.A.
Jackstand Blueprint, 3 May 1928
Blueprint showing type B jacktands or ledgers for Whirlwind Racer with table of dimensions by Traver Engineering Co, Beaver Falls, P.A.
Jackstand Blueprint, 9 May 1928
Blueprint showing type A jacktands low ledgers for Whirlwind Racer with table of dimensions by Traver Engineering Co, Beaver Falls, P.A.
Jackstand Blueprint, 1 May 1928
Blueprint showing type C jacktands or ledgers for Whirlwind Racer with table of dimensions by Traver Engineering Co, Beaver Falls, P.A.
Jackstand Blueprint, 10 January 1929
Blueprint showing type D jackstands for Whirlwind Racer with table of dimensions by Traver Engineering Co, Beaver Falls, P.A.
Jackstand Blueprint, 23 May 1928
Blueprint showing typy F jackstands for Whirlwind Racer with table of dimensions by Traver Engineering Co, Beaver Falls, P.A.
Jester and Dog Band Drawing, c1900 - 1929
Sketch of humorous scene showing a jester and a dog playing musical instruments and a castle on the background. Pencil on grid lined paper.
Jester Gondola Drawing, c1900 - 1929
Design for a gondola car showing a male jester at each end of the car. Pencil on paper.
John Jennings Devizes Drawing, December 1895
Ink drawing of mechanism with central chimeney and gears on grease paper.