Aveling and Porter was a British agricultural engine and steamroller manufacturer. Thomas Aveling and Richard Thomas Porter entered into partnership in 1862, and developed a steam engine three years later in 1865. By the early 1900s, the company had become the largest manufacturer of steamrollers (road rollers) in the world.
Aveling and Porter's first steamroller was produced in 1867. It was a two-wheeled machine with a rear-mounted engine and a heavy iron roller. The roller was powered by the engine through a chain drive. Aveling and Porter's steamrollers were quickly adopted by road builders and local authorities around the world.
In the late 19th century, Aveling and Porter began to develop three-wheeled steamrollers. These machines were more stable and maneuverable than the two-wheeled models, and they quickly became the standard type of steamroller. Aveling and Porter also introduced a number of other innovations to steamroller design, including compound engines, superheaters and variable-speed transmissions.
These steamrollers were used in the construction of roads, railways, canals and other infrastructure projects all over the world. They were also used in military operations, such as the First World War.
In the early 20th century, Aveling and Porter began to produce internal combustion engine (ICE) road rollers. These machines were more efficient and easier to operate than steamrollers, and they gradually replaced steamrollers in the post-war period.
Aveling and Porter ceased production of steamrollers in 1932. However, the company continued to produce ICE road rollers until it was acquired by Barfords in 1934. The company was then renamed Aveling Barford.
Fred Dibnah
Fred Dibnah owned a number of road rollers over the years, but his most famous road roller was a 1912 Aveling & Porter steamroller named "Betsy." He bought Betsy in 1968 for £350, and he restored her over the next few years.
Dibnah used Betsy to travel around the country, giving demonstrations of steam power and traditional engineering skills. He also used Betsy to help with various projects, such as building roads and bridges.
In 1990, Dibnah took Betsy on a 200-mile journey from Bolton, Lancashire, to London. The journey took several weeks, and it was televised by the BBC. The journey made Dibnah a national celebrity, and it helped to raise awareness of steam power and industrial heritage.
Dibnah died in 2004, but Betsy is still in operation. She is now owned by the Fred Dibnah Heritage Centre in Bolton, and she is regularly used for demonstrations and events.