The David Brown company was originally started by David Brown in 1860 as a general patternmaker and by 1898 was manufacturing machine cut gears. With the death of David Brown in 1903, his sons Frank and Percy succeeded him and during the same year were producing self-contained worm gear units complete with bearings and shafts.
1914
Between 1914 and 1918 as the company became involved in the war effort, the number of people employed increased from 200 to 1000 and by 1921 the company was the largest worm gear manufacturer in the world.
1936
The first David Brown/Ferguson tractor was produced in 1936, and in 1939 the first David Brown tractor was exhibited at the Royal Show.
1939
Between 1939 and 1945 the company again became involved in the war effort, producing half a million separate gears, and 10,000 tank transmissions. For some time the company was the only supplier of gears for the Spitfire fighter plane. During this time the workforce in all the businesses grew to 7000 employees.
1946
Since that time, the David Brown company has expanded and consolidated its product range, having for a period of time owned the Aston Martin car Company, and has now been integrated into various parts of the Textron organisation.
The David Brown company was originally started by David Brown in 1860 as a general patternmaker and by 1898 was manufacturing machine cut gears. With the death of David Brown in 1903, his sons Frank and Percy succeeded him and during the same year were producing self-contained worm gear units complete with bearings and shafts. 
Between 1939 and 1945 the company again became involved in the war effort, producing half a million separate gears, and 10,000 tank transmissions. For some time the company was the only supplier of gears for the Spitfire fighter plane. During this time the workforce in all the businesses grew to 7000 employees. 
Since that time, the David Brown company has expanded and consolidated its product range, having for a period of time owned the Aston Martin car Company, and has now been integrated into various parts of the Textron organisation. 
