J. Tylor & Sons — Pioneers of British Water‑Meter Engineering (1778–1921)

The Tylor story begins in the late 18th century, when John Tylor, a Quaker brassfounder, was admitted to the Armourers’ and Brasiers’ Company in 1778. His workshop in London produced high‑quality brass fittings, sanitary components, and industrial hardware—an artisanal foundation that would later evolve into one of Britain’s most respected engineering firms.

By the early 19th century, the business passed to Joseph and Henry Tylor, who operated from Warwick Lane, London, until the partnership dissolved in 1844.

Rise of a Sanitary‑Engineering Powerhouse (1844–1880s)

After 1844, the reorganized firm J. Tylor & Sons expanded aggressively into the booming Victorian sanitary‑engineering sector. London’s rapid urbanization created unprecedented demand for reliable plumbing, pumps, valves, and flow‑control devices.

Tylor became known for:

- precision brass founding

- sanitary appliances

- pumps and hydraulic equipment

- early flow‑measurement devices - reciprocating piston meter patented in 1861

Their engineering reputation positioned them perfectly for the next technological leap: water metering.

Innovation in Water Measurement (1870s–1900)

By the late 19th century, Tylor & Sons were producing some of Britain’s earliest standardized water meters. Their most significant contribution was the Tylor Rotary Water Meter, an elegantly engineered device designed for municipal and industrial water‑supply systems.

- 1888 Issued catalogue on positive water meters, bascule meters and inferential meters.

- 1889 Positive rotary piston and inferential water meters. - 1890 Fullflow T‑Type Turbine water meters.

Tylor’s meters became widely adopted by British water authorities during a period when accurate consumption measurement was transforming public‑utility economics.

Industrial Diversification and Expansion (1880–1914)

By the turn of the century, Tylor & Sons had grown into a diversified engineering manufacturer with facilities at Newgate Street and Belle Isle, London. In 1890 the firm became a limited company, known as J Tylor and Sons Ltd. In 1898 the entity was Incorporated as a Limited Company and stock tradeable on the market.

War, Engineering, and Corporate Decline (1914–1921)

During the First World War, Tylor engines were used in military vehicles, demonstrating the company’s technical versatility.

However, after the war, the firm struggled with financial pressures and industrial restructuring. In 1921, J. Tylor & Sons entered receivership, ending nearly 150 years of continuous operation. Tylors merged with HRI Flowmeters in 1958, were then sold on to GEC Elliot Automation in 1975, then Fisher controls. Then KDG, who later merged with Bestobell Mobrey and were then sold on to Roxboro as part of Solartron Mobrey and finally, as part of the trappings of the company, to Emerson. But at each transition more of the product was lost, less money was invested and all that was left after their last acquisition was the name. Known operating locations: 75 Wood Street, London (1778-93)

3 Cripplegate Buildings (1794-1828)

2 Newgate Street London (1829-1907)

232 Tottenham Court Road (1908-56)

Burgess Hill, Sussex from 1956.

Why Tylor & Sons Matter in Water‑Meter History

1. Early Standardization of British Water Meters

Tylor was among the first UK firms to produce reliable, mass‑manufactured water meters at a time when municipal water systems were transitioning from flat‑rate billing to volumetric measurement.

2. Engineering Excellence

Their rotary meter design represents a key step in the evolution of mechanical metering—compact, durable, and suited to Victorian and Edwardian infrastructure.

3. A Bridge Between Craft and Industry

The company’s roots in 18th‑century brass founding and its later industrial diversification illustrate the broader transformation of British engineering across two centuries.

4. Surviving Artifacts

The presence of Tylor meters in major museum collections are very rare. The Historic Water Meter Museum (Courtesy of S.A.Water) has a rare J. Tylor & Sons – “THORS” Fullflow T‑Type Water Meter, ex London, c. 1890–1920. (See Below)

This cast‑iron “Fullflow” T‑Type 4" flanged meter was manufactured by J. Tylor & Sons, one of Britain’s leading sanitary‑engineering firms. Sold under the THORS – LONDON trade name, it represents the company’s late‑Victorian shift into precision water‑measurement technology. The Fullflow design provided a straight‑through hydraulic path to reduce pressure loss, while the multi‑dial register offered accurate volumetric readings in gallons for municipal supply networks. Its heavy bolted body and enamelled dial reflect the engineering priorities of the era: durability, clarity, and reliability in underground or pit‑mounted installations. Surviving examples are rare, making this meter a significant artifact in the evolution of British water‑meter design.