5,741
edits
Dunhill: Difference between revisions
→About the Family Business
| Line 513: | Line 513: | ||
Although he had served an apprenticeship in harness-making and travelled with a pony and cart selling carriage blinds, Alfred was quick to abandon horse traction for motor cars as soon as the 1896 Locomotives on Highways Act raised the national speed limit from 4mph (with a red flag man walking in front) to a slightly less restrictive 12mph.</q> Telegraph.<ref name=tm>Burgess, David. Telegraph (16 Aug 2003). Weird and Wonderful. UK: Telegraph Media Group.[https://pipedia.org/images/f/f7/Weird_and_Wonderful_-_Telegraph_Page.pdf]</ref></blockquote> | Although he had served an apprenticeship in harness-making and travelled with a pony and cart selling carriage blinds, Alfred was quick to abandon horse traction for motor cars as soon as the 1896 Locomotives on Highways Act raised the national speed limit from 4mph (with a red flag man walking in front) to a slightly less restrictive 12mph.</q> Telegraph.<ref name=tm>Burgess, David. Telegraph (16 Aug 2003). Weird and Wonderful. UK: Telegraph Media Group.[https://pipedia.org/images/f/f7/Weird_and_Wonderful_-_Telegraph_Page.pdf]</ref></blockquote> | ||
In 1896 the automobile revolution began to occupy its space in the streets of London. Henry soon realized that this movement posed a future threat to his business. At 55 years old, he was no longer well in health and considered his retirement. When a fire destroyed a section of his store in 1897, Henry decided it was time for his son to take over the business. Mary reported, on a certain occasion, that her grandfather told that in one night, he came home and said: "So you want to take it over, Alfred?". Astute and already glimpsing the market, Alfred said yes and they shook hands. A few weeks later, Henry retired. | In 1896 the automobile revolution began to occupy its space in the streets of London. Henry soon realized that this movement posed a future threat to his business. At 55 years old, he was no longer well in health and considered his retirement. When a fire destroyed a section of his store in 1897, Henry decided it was time for his son to take over the business. Mary reported, on a certain occasion, that her grandfather told that in one night, he came home and said: "So you want to take it over, Alfred?". Astute and already glimpsing the market, Alfred said yes and they shook hands. A few weeks later, Henry retired</font><br> Mary Dunhill.<ref name=mary7>Dunhill, Mary (1979). Our Family Business (p. 18). Great Britain, The Bodley Head.</ref></center>. | ||
And here is where Alfred Dunhill begins his historic journey. In 1887, Alfred, Henry's third son, became an apprentice in his father's harness business. In mid-1893, then at the age of 21, Alfred emerged as an entrepreneur after taking over the saddlery business of his father, which ends up dying a few years later. | And here is where Alfred Dunhill begins his historic journey. In 1887, Alfred, Henry's third son, became an apprentice in his father's harness business. In mid-1893, then at the age of 21, Alfred emerged as an entrepreneur after taking over the saddlery business of his father, which ends up dying a few years later. | ||