William Platts
William Platts (1861-1908) of George Turton, Platts and Co
1908 Obituary [1]
WILLIAM PLATTS was born at Gainsborough on 3rd July 1861.
He was educated at the City of London School, and in 1878 commenced an apprenticeship with Messrs. Marshall, Sons and Co.
Having passed through the shops he entered the drawing-office in 1882, and remained there for four years, after which he re-entered the works for a short period. He was subsequently selected by the same firm to represent them in Australia from 1886 to 1890, during which period he acted as their representative at the Melbourne Exhibition in 1888-1889.
After his return to England in 1890 he joined Mr. George Turton, who had commenced works in Savile Street, Sheffield, for the manufacture of railway buffers, and the title of the firm was altered to Messrs. George Turton, Platts and Co.
A department for the manufacture of spiral and volute springs was added, and on Mr. Turton's retirement in 1891 Mr. Platts became sole proprietor. Under his management the business increased considerably, and has become one of the most important in the country for the manufacture of railway buffers, springs, carriage ventilators, &c.
Among his inventions of importance may be mentioned a socket plunger buffer and ribbed section volute springs.
His death from pneumonia took place at his residence in Sheffield on 14th April 1908, in his forty-seventh year.
He became an Associate Member in 1898, and was transferred to full membership in 1903.