Aveling & Porter

Thomas Aveling and Richard Thomas Porter entered into partnership in 1862, developed a steam engine in 1865, three years later, and produced more of the machines than all the other British manufacturers combined.

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Thomas Aveling was born at Elm, Cambridgeshire, in 1824 and was apprenticed to a farmer where he had the opportunity to familiarise himself with the new steam-powered farm machinery of the time. Aveling's interest in engineering led him to set up a business with his father-in-law producing and repairing agricultural machinery. In 1856 they produced the first steam plough.

Related Topics:
Cambridgeshire - 1824 - Plough

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In partnership with Porter, the roller they produced in 1865 was tested in Hyde Park, London, Military Road, Chatham and at Star Hill in Rochester, Kent. The machine proved a huge success. Aveling and Porter steam rollers were exported to Europe and as far afield as India and the USA.

Related Topics:
Hyde Park, London - Chatham - Rochester - Kent - India - USA

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In 1934, Aveling and Porter combined with Barford & Perkins to form Aveling-Barford which continued to make steam and motor rollers. After World War II the company continued to make motor and steam rollers as well as expanding into other construction equipment. Now American owned and known as Wordsworth Holdings, the company continues to make dump trucks at the original Grantham site.

Related Topics:
World War II - Wordsworth Holdings - Grantham

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