I am exploring the companies I came across whilst writing War on Wheels and Ordnance. I have already looked further at many of the people, and this resulted in Dunkirk to D Day.
What of the companies? I have found myself exploring some of the earliest machines, but also the economics that drove people to make them. I have come across names and, as always seems to be the case, connections. Here are just some examples: the number of engineers in the Stevenson family, the generations of Maudslays, and, more generally, the prevalence of families.
One fascinating source is the catalogue to the Great Exhibition, copies of which are in many libraries but which is also available on line. This revealed a connection with the Stokes Mortar, which was invented by the managing director of the Ipswich engineers, Ransomes who had exhibited the equipment they were making for the railway companies. Another entry that caught my eye was for Clayton, Shuttleworth & Co of Lincoln with an oscillating steam-engine but with ‘arrangements simple and compact, suitable for working corn mills, sawing machinery etc.’
My great grandfather was secretary to the committee of Surgical Instrument makers and he managed the business of J Weiss Co at 62, The Strand. He was presented with a catalogue, the cover of which has been preserved.
British Manufacturing History 