Bown Manufacturing Company

The Bown Manufacturing Company was established in 1862 in Birmingham by local machinist, William Bown, making a variety of patented mechanical parts. The name Aeolus had been used as a trademark since 1877 and especially for cycle parts. A second-cousin took over the company when the founder died in 1900 and began making powered-cycles also under the Aeolus brand. Production was interrupted by the First World War, after which motorcycles were marketed under the Bown brand until 1924. The company was subsequently acquired by the Aberdale Cycle Company in the 1930s.
History.
The company was formed in 1862 by William Bown. At first the company manufactured a variety of articles: parts for sewing machines, horse clippers, roller skate wheels and the likes. Many of these devices were 
the subject of patents filed by William Bown and sometimes one or more of his colleagues. On several occasions, the company resorted to the courts to try and protect these patents; not always successfully.
One particular development was the creation of a "ball race" bearing utilising ball-bearings and applied to bicycle pedals and wheel hubs. The idea was patented and became a key product for the company acquiring the trade-mark Æolus referencing the "Greek god of the winds" Aeolus. By 1892 the company had over 1,000 employees in several workshops. Approaching his retirement, William converted the business to a limited company in 1893. With the success of Aeolus ball bearings, production was increasingly focused on bicycle parts and by 1896 the company was clearly identified as a bicycle manufacturer being listed as such in a local business directory.
After the death of William in 1900, a second-cousin, William A.R. Bown, took over the company and in 1903 took the next step in bicycle manufacture by adding an engine to produce the first Aeolus motorcycle. This early machine is renowned for having a shaft drive, possibly the first British motorcycle to do so. However, the machines were only made in very small numbers and production ceased in 1905.
Still based in Birmingham at the "Aeolus Works, Summer Lane" motorcycle production restarted in 1914, again under the Aeolus marque, using a small Villiers engine. While the war interrupted production, when it resumed in 1919, the motorcycles were now marketed under Bown's own name as the Bownian or the Bown Villiers for larger machines.
In 1924 the factory relocated to Chadwell Heath, Essex and production changed back from motorcycles to unpowered bicycles.
Midway through the thirties the company was acquired by Aberdale though William A.R. Bown retained a seat on the board in a technical capacity. The Bown name continued to be used by Aberdale and several motorcycles were produced under this marque into the 1950s .
Patent activities.
William Bown was an enthusiastic experimenter with a keen eye for marketable ideas. He is known to have registered over 14 patents. Owning a patent for the famous Aeolus ball bearing amongst other products, the company was able to earn substantial royalties in addition to sales from their own manufactured products. The company's promotional material clearly referenced these unique selling points and illustrated the range of technical innovations introduced by the company.
It has been suggested that as the 1877 patent expired (after 20 years), the "ball-race-pedal" became standard equipment used by most or all bicycle manufacturers, possibly even in current machines.
Motorcycles.
As well as manufacturing their own range of motorcycles, the company also offered equipment for other makes of bike: motorcycle hubs, rim brakes, ball-bearing clutches and the likes.
A contemporary review from the 1922 show at Olympia, London reported:
External links.
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