William Henry Aston
William Henry Aston of 46 Eagle Wharf road, London, was a British engineer and inventor. He was a partner in G. Aston and Son, and Managing Director of Reno Electric Stairways and Conveyors.
1900 'AN ELECTRIC STAIRCASE. To the many attractions at the Crystal Palace, Mr. H. Gilman, the enterprisins manager, has added an electric staircase, the principle of which is ingenious as it is novel. Invented by Mr. Reno, an American, the Inclined Elevator is best adapted for stores, restaurants, public buildings, theatres, elevated and underground railways, ..... The whole of the machinery and truss-girders have been made, and fixed by Messrs. G. Aston and Son of Eagle Wharf-road. ..... This is the first of-Mr. Reno's staircases erected in England, although they are largely employed in the United States. Five elevators are also in operation at the Paris Exhibition.'[1]
1901 'AN ELEVATOR FOR TIE CLIFFS. CORPORATION ASKED TO APPROVE A SCHEME.
The Highways Committee of Southend Town Council have been negotiating for some weeks past with the Reno Inclined Elevator Construction Syndicate for the construction of an elevator from the Esplanade. .... Then, at a later meeting, the Town Clerk reported that in his opinion, it was desirable that the licence should he made to Mr. W. H. Aston. of the firm of Messrs. G. Aston and Son, Engineers and Ironfounders, 46, Eagle Wharf Road, London, which proposal had been agreed to by the Reno Inclined Elevator Construction Syndicate....'[2]
1901 Aston patented a spiral elevator, or more specifically 'Supporting or protective framework or housings for endless load-carriers or traction elements of belt or chain conveyors for conveyors having endless load-carriers movable in curved paths in three-dimensionally curved paths'. This was also patented in the USA - see US Patent No. 701,459, dated June 3, 1902 [3]
1906 The Reno Electric Stairways and Conveyors constructed the Spiral Escalator at Holloway Road Station
See here[4] and here[5] for interesting information on the Spiral Escalator at Holloway Road Station, which was installed but never used.
Good photos here[6] showing remains of the escalator preserved at the London Transport Acton Depot.
The spiral elevator was a form of continuous escalator taking a spiral path, which allowed for a compact installation compared with a conventional escalator. Unlike typical escalators, the treads were not stepped.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ London Evening Standard, 4 August 1900
- ↑ Southend Standard and Essex Weekly Advertiser, 9 May 1901
- ↑ [1] US Patent 701,459, dated June 3, 1902: WILLIAM HENRY ASTON, OF LONDON, ENGLAND. PASSENGER OR GOODS ELEVATOR OR CONVEYER.
- ↑ [2] 'London Recollections' blog: 'A deeper look at the Tube’s Spiral Escalator'
- ↑ [3] machorne blog: 'Observations of a Londoner': 'Escalators, inclined elevators and myths'
- ↑ [4] Blog: Tom Hall: London & Overseas Travel