Oliver Danson North (c1887-1968) of Scammell and North-Lucas
Oliver Danson North was a British engineer and automobile designer in the early twentieth century. He worked for Scammell from 1922. He was responsible, most notably, for the Scammell Pioneer, a three-axle heavy truck, and the three-wheeled Mechanical Horse, which subsequently evolved into the Scammell Scarab, a familiar sight on railway platforms and postal sorting offices.
Born c1887 at Willesden Green the son of William North (a physiologist) and his wife Kate. His parent divorced on 1895.
1901 Boarder at Bromsgrove School
1907 Pupil at London Central Technical College
1911 Boarder at 50 Park Lane East, Tipton: Oliver Danson North (age 24 born London), Engineer Draughtsman, Pumping Machinery.[1]
1921 Residing at Pitfold, Shottermill: Oliver Danson North (age 34 born London), an Engineer at Armand Press Streching Co, Whitefriars Street, E.C.4. In the house of his uncle Henry Beveridge and family.[2]
1922 Ralph Lucas developed the North-Lucas Radial car with Oliver North at the Robin Hood Engineering Works in Putney Vale. This time only one was built by the Chelsea Motor Building Co. The car had a streamlined aluminium bodied with a fabric roof. It was used by Ralph himself between 1922 and 1928, covering 65,000 miles in its lifetime.
He was also heavily involved in the design and manufacture by Scammell Lorries of the two '100 Tonners' low-loader vehicles, delivered in early 1930 to Marston Road Services in Liverpool and H. E. Coley in Dartford, Kent. The vehicle delivered to Marston Road Services, known as KD 9168, was used for the delivery of steam locomotives from the manufacturers to Liverpool docks.
1939 A.C.G.I., B.Sc. (Loud.), M.I.A.E. Chief Designer, Scammell Lorries, Ltd., Tolpits Lane, Watford, Herts. Private address: 8, Gipsy Lane, Hunton Bridge, Kings Langley, Herts. Career: Bromsgrove School; City & Guilds; Shops of Wolseley Tool and Moto
Died 11th November 1968 at Haslemere in his 82nd year [3]