W.H. Tildesley is rightfully proud of our involvement in the manufacture of components for medical devices and prosthetics. An industry that we are still serving to this day. The earliest example of a Tildesley component for use in a prosthetic device is dated August 1928, with hundreds more prosthetic limb components in the archive across multiple companies, as follows:

120 Forged Components Produced

J.E. Hanger is a company named after American Engineering student James Edward Hanger, one of the very first amputees of the American Civil War with a cannonball tearing through his leg less than 2 days after enlisting. This led the engineer to invent an innovative prosthesis for himself with an articulating knee joint, which he was then commissioned to produce for wounded veterans.

We worked with J.E Hanger from 1928 to 1982, a working relationship spanning over 50 years. The company still operates today as Hanger Inc. Providing mobility devices and aftercare.

32 Forged Components Produced

Chas. A Blatchford & Sons, founded in 1890, is still operating today. They were among the first prosthetic limb companies to provide government-subsidised prostheses for wounded veterans and civilians. A scheme that pre-dates the founding of the NHS, which Blatchford went on to supply since its inception and still works closely with the NHS to this day.

W.H. Tildesley worked with Blatchford from 1934 to 1995, producing components for the company for over 60 years. Blatchford is still thriving, with dozens of NHS-partnered clinics providing care and ongoing treatment.

58 Forged Components Produced

George Wright & Sons was a general forge and manufacturer of light forgings rather than a specialised producer of complete limbs. Such was the unfortunate demand for prostheses during the post-war years.

W.H. Tildesley worked with George Wright and Sons between 1934 & 1980, providing artificial limb fittings exclusively.

38 Forged Components Produced

Vessa Ltd was another manufacturer of limbs, operating as a subsidiary of Vokes Limited, a manufacturer of Air Filters and Silencing Equipment.

The business and patents for this company were originally developed by The DeSoutter Brothers, who sold their interest in prostheses after the announcement of the government subsidies discussed above. Focussing on the profitable parts of their business, namely surgical power tools (DeSoutter is still manufacturing surgical power tools and instruments to this day).

The patents purchased by Vessa contained numerous innovations. Vessa was the first company to produce prosthetic limbs from Duralumin. This meant Vessa limbs were lighter, weighing around 2 pounds compared to the 8/10 pounds of a comparable wooden leg. Cushioning was added to reduce the noise of the device while in use. Indeed Blatchford limbs were nicknamed ‘The Clapper Leg’ due to the sound it made on full extension.

Vokes went on to purchase J.E Hanger in 1958, meaning Vokes now owned two of the three largest producers of lower limb prosthetic devices in Britain; Vessa, Blatchfords, and J.E Hanger.

W.H. Tildesley worked with Vessa from 1958 to 1982, with 38 unique Vessa components in our archive.

18 Forged Components Produced

While the companies listed above focus on lower limb prostheses, Hugh Steeper specialised in producing upper limb prosthetic devices.

With the high demand for prostheses following the end of WWI. Steeper was founded by Mr Hugh Steeper on 19^th November 1920. He would attend the local hospital in Roehampton personally to measure and fit prosthetic arms for returning veterans. It wasn’t until March 1921 that Hugh Steeper Limited would become an operating company.

Steeper would go on to work with the government on the same initiative mentioned, providing upper limb prosthetics that were subsidised by the newly formed NHS.

Steeper is still trading as Steeper Group, offering both upper and lower-limb prosthetics, clinical services, and patient aftercare.

W.H. Tildesley worked with Hugh Steeper from 1956 to 1971, producing hooks & levers for hand assemblies.