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:
Terminal Box Blueprint, 11 November 1925
Blueprint of diagram of connections of terminal box connections and end covers wiring as motor and generator, stamped by Mather & Platt Ltd., of Manchester, X36772.
The Auto Skooter Ride Dodgem Elevations, c1930 - 1939
Front and side elevations and floor plan for the Auto Skooter Ride dodgem, stamped Geo. Orton, Sons & Spooner Ltd, Buton-on-Trent.
The Kursaal Plan Layout, c1890 - 1900
Suggested layout for stalls at the Kursaal, including a set of dodgems, scale 1/4".
Tie Rods Blueprint, 1 June 1928
Blueprint showing tie rods for Whirlwind Racer with table of dimensions by Traver Engineering Co, Beaver Falls, P.A.
Track Clamp Sketch, c1930 - 1939
Detail of track clamp with notes on white paper.
Track Cradle Blueprint, c1930 - 1939
Detail of track cradle layout, code of construction sheet.
Track Cradle Sketch, c1930 - 1939
Detail of track cradle construction with notes on white paper.
Track Cradle Sketch, c1930 - 1939
Detail of track cradle construction with notes on white paper.
Track Elevation, c1920 - 1939
Elevation of outside edge of compensation rail, scale 1".
Track Elevation Blueprint, c1930 - 1939
Blueprint for track elevation for new ride not swoop, to scale, stamped Geo. Orton, Sons & Spooner Burton on Trent.
Track Layout Blueprint, c1930 - 1939
Layout of No.6 track for Ramsgate ghost train, scale 1/4" by Messrs Orton, Sons & Spooner Ltd. Drawing X369.
Track Lock Blueprint, 1931
Detail of steel track lock with notes.
Trade and Advertising Material, c1902 - 1939
Various trades catalogues related to Orton and Spooner and promotional images related to the film industry.
Trade Catalogues, c1930 - 1939
Trade catalogues containing 64 black and white photographs of products and designs for sale and 1 lose photograph of a wall type regulator with prices on reverse.
Trade Mark Certificate, 5 April 1934
Trade mark certificate for Orton and Spooner Buckeroos. Typescript.
Trailer for Inclined Roundabout Blueprint, 28 February 1935
By Messrs Orton, Sons & Spooner Ltd, scale 1 1/2" and 3". Drawing W4375.
Trailer Passanger Car Floor Board Blueprint, 31 August 1935
Blueprint showing section of car floor board for rocket speedway by Norman Bartlett N Tonawanda N.Y. scale 3".
Trailer Passanger Car Seat Frame Blueprint, 10 June 1935
Blueprint showing sections of a car set frame for a rocket speedway by Norman Bartlett N Tonawanda N.Y. scale 3/4".
Trailer Passanger Car Seat Frame Blueprint, 18 September 1935
Blueprint showing sections of a car set frame for a rocket speedway by Norman Bartlett N Tonawanda N.Y. scale 3/4".
Train Car Blueprint, 15 January 1936
Train comprises seven four passanger cars and one 80hp, V8 Ford drive unit, capacity 28 passengers, operating cycle 1 minute 30 seconds, 1260 passengers per hour. Drawing by Norman Bartlett N. Tonawanda N.Y., scale 3".