From a young age I was keen on making things using odd bits of wood. The Showmax hardware shop on Waldegrave Road had a box of timber offcuts, sixpence each, more than a few sold to me. Other boys got footballs and cricket bats as Christmas and birthday presents; I was thrilled to receive a hand drill for my ninth or tenth birthday. What I dreamed of, though, was the day when I would be old enough, responsible enough and strong enough to have an electric drill. In the years before this milestone was reached, I had to make do with the small ads all promising a wonderful assortment of ‘freebies’ since discounting was not then allowed.
The first portable handheld drill was created by in 1895 by Stuttgart brothers Wilhelm & Carl Fein whose company still makes top class power tools. In 1917 the first trigger-switch, pistol-grip portable drill was patented by Black & Decker USA. In the UK the first DIY drill seems to have been Wolf’s Cub, introduced in the late 1940s; my dad owned one with a number of attachments, but I don’t remember him ever using it.
Which? magazine published its first report on electric drills in December 1963. They tested 15 models from these makers: Black & Decker (5); Stanley-Bridges (3); Wolf (2); Speedway (2) and one each from Miller Falls, Selecta and Winfield (Woolworths own brand). Two only were two-speed drills and none had a hammer option. Nearly 13 years later, the February 1976 Handyman Which? carried a report on 14 drills, all double-insulated, all but three two-speed. Makers: Black & Decker (6); Stanley-Bridges (4); and one each from Bosch, Makita, Metabo and Wolf. For domestic scale construction mains drills are now rarely seen; cordless drills sourced from the far east dominate the market.
In 1957 Harold Macmillan told UK voters that they’d “never had it so good”. British industry was thriving. During the 1960s manufacturing accounted for 27% of London’s economic output; (it’s now just 1.8%). The big three’s drills were all made in London: Black & Decker UK had moved to Harmondsworth (near Heathrow) in 1940, Wolf to Pioneer Works in Hanger Lane in 1935, and S.N.Bridges to York Road, Battersea, SW11 in 1959.
From here I’ll focus on Bridges. For more on Wolf and Black & Decker check out these links on Ultimate Handyman and Progress is Fine blog.
S.N.Bridges & Co. was founded in 1937. By the time they moved to Battersea they had 600 employees. Alongside power tools, in the early 1960s they also made domestic appliances: food mixers, hairdryers, electric blankets, heaters etc.
An October 1959 ad reminds us of office work in pre-computer days: “S. N. Bridges & Co. Ltd., manufacturers of the world-famous range of Portable Electric Tools, have now moved into their new spacious premises at York Road, London, S.W.11 Vacancies on the permanent staff can now be filled for the following: Senior Secretaries; Senior and Junior Shorthand-Typists; Dictaphone Typists; Comptometer Operators; Sales Ledger Clerks; Export Shipping Clerks; Cost Analysis Clerks; Invoice Clerks. Only ladies of proved ability and experience, who are desirous of obtaining permanent worthwhile employment, should apply. Applications in writing, with copy references, stating fully qualifications, age, experience and salary, should be addressed to the Company Secretary….”
In 1961 Bridges was acquired by Stanley, the long-established hand tool manufacturer, the power tools now being branded as Stanley-Bridges.
In 1963 the company needed “Temporary Female Assembly Operators. Normal hours of employment, 42-hour week. Company offers attractive rates of pay together with excellent conditions of employment”.
A 1966 advert was looking for capstan setter operators, milling setter operators, machine minders and other workers for the night shift, four nights 9.30p.m.-8.00a.m. followed by a long weekend, 8.00a.m. Friday to 9.30p.m. Monday.
In 1968 there were still no laws against age or sex discrimination: “Managing Director’s Secretary: A secretary is required for our Managing Director. She should possess an efficient and pleasing personality, be a competent shorthand-typist, and should be able to operate at senior executive level for extended periods without close supervision. Age from 23 years.”
But for Bridges employees there was more to life than work. The South Western Star, 5 February 1960 recorded*:
“The sports and social club of S. N. Bridges & Co. of Battersea entertained 196 children of members to a tea and entertainment in the works restaurant on Saturday. After tea the youngsters were entertained with magic and a Punch and Judy show by Clown Will Kindred, assisted by Mrs. D. Fisher, a member of the club. … Another member filled the role of Father Christmas and each child received a present, fruit and chocolates. Visitors included Mr. D. G. Bridges and Mr. S. R. Kilner, directors of S. N. Bridges …”.
The South Western Star, 9 December 1960, reported* on the firm’s dinner dance held at the company’s sports and social club at Kensington. 300 staff members and wives from round the UK were invited for an expenses paid weekend with the 80 out-of-town visitors being given a Saturday morning factory tour. Mr. G. N. Bridges, managing Director and Mr. D. G. Bridges, Financial Director, hosting.
Was London getting too expensive or staff too hard to find? A decade after moving to Battersea, another move was afoot. The Newcastle Journal – Wednesday 17 June 1970 reported*
“Why Stanley-Bridges picked Cramlington”
“The world’s leading manufacturer of hand tools is running down London plant and settling up on the Nelson Industrial Estate at Cramlington. “We are doing this to meet our future expansion programme,” said Mr. Derek Mills, managing director of Stanley-Bridges, product of a merger in 1961 between United States-based Stanley and the London family firm of S. N. Bridges and Co. Stanley-Bridges has other plants in Sheffield but it is closing down in Battersea and settling In the North-East principally because the labour pool Is greater than in the South.
Wills, in Cramlington yesterday, said other facts that influenced the move were the North East’s excellent schools. living accommodation and communications and the persuasive powers of Northumberland County Council and the Board of Trade. By August upwards of 300 people, two-thirds of them men and almost all locally recruited, will have the plant In full production on hand and power operated tools for industrial and domestic markets. Main production area of the £500,000 plant is a 72,000 sq. ft. unit.”
After another ten or so years, Stanley-Bridges was no more. Several forum posts suggest that they were taken over by Bosch and then closed down. Anyone know more? Please respond in the comments. And does anyone know anything about Mr. S.N.Bridges? For someone who set up a company that employed nearly a thousand people at its peak and traded for sixty or so years, he’s apparently left no virtual footprint. Or perhaps I’ve yet to find it?
* Links to British Newspaper Archive ($$$)
