Hi Chuck & All,

The Ruskin Gallery booklet "The Cutting Edge" has  a writeup about James
Chesterman. It says he was born in London (doesn't say when) but moved
to Sheffield in 1820 and worked as a silversmith for one year. After
inventing a method of making an automatic rewind tape measure, he went
into business with a Mr. Housefield. By 1837, a Samuel Fox had joined
the business and Chesterman had also patented a self winding window
blind. In 1837, the company adopted the name "Bow Works". In 1849, he ws
joined by partners Cutts and Beddington. Chesterman's primary products
were always measuring tapes and chains, steel rules and such, but his
work on improving steel tapes also was adapted to making steel supports
for ladies skirts. The writeup never makes it clear what names these
various partnerships and such worked under, but in 1950 they became a
public company as James Chesterman & Co. Ltd. In 1963, they combined
with Rabone & Sons as Rabone Chesterman. That company was bought out by
Stanley in 1990, but it is not clear whether STnley continued to use
their name.

Best Wishes,
Bob  

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