Peter Lymburner Robertson (1879-1951)

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Apr 21, 2016

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By: Dom Campagna

Source: Ingenium Artifact no. 2003.0061.001

Peter Lymburner Robertson

Peter Lymburner Robertson – also known as P.L. Robertson – was a Canadian business mogul, author and inventor. He popularized the square-socket version of the screw and the corresponding screwdriver in the early 1900s. His products are still named after him today.

Robertson was born in Seneca, which is now part of Haldimand County located in southern Ontario.

From Pain to Product

Robertson became a sales representative in Canada for a Philadelphia tool company. During a tool demonstration in downtown Montreal, the blade of his screwdriver slipped out of a single-slot screw and severely cut his hand.

The idea that followed would have a much larger impact than the gash on his hand, though. Robertson designed a safer, easier screw to drive. One with a square socket that would allow for a tools blade to rest safely rather than slip out. The square-slotted screw allowed for less movement when driving fasteners into a material. The Robertson Screwdriver only made it better, the square tip made for even less movement and a smoother turn. It became increasingly popular, workers were able to use it with one-hand making jobs on ladders or in confined spaces much easier.

Besides the fact that his screwdriver and screw were by far his most successful creations, Robertson had worked on a variety of other items. Some of the patents he had received were for a better mousetrap, corkscrew, staple maker and even a cufflink.

Business

Robertson established his business in Milton, Ontario in 1908. In an attempt to expand his business, Robertson attempted to bring his products to the United States. He first approached Curtis Screws Company of Buffalo and left with no success. But he continued to push his product south of the border. His next target would be Ford Motor Company.

At the time, he was already providing Ford Windsor with his products, saving them approximately $2.60 per vehicle made. This caught the eye of the bigger executives at Ford in Detroit. The executives were interested, but decided they wanted a say in the location of the product development. Robertson wasn’t pleased with this statement and he eventually left without a deal.

After multiple attempts, Robertson was unsuccessful in bringing his products to the United States.

He took some time to himself after his frustration with the business world. He wrote a book about solving world economic problems during that period. He would come back to his business later. And with much more success. His brass screws began selling in bulk – kegs – internationally.

P.L. Robertson’s screws and screwdrivers still hold his name. His business is widely popular with the townsfolk, at the time, he had brought in over 600 jobs to the area to work there.

The original facility is still in place and it continues to be a source of Milton pride today.

Source: Ingenium Artifact no. 2003.0061.003

Source: Ingenium Artifact no. 2003.0061.009

Radio, Receiver Source: CSTMC/SMSTC [Artifact no. 2001.0320.001]

“Worth Defending” – A brief look at the 1954 advertising campaign of a major Canadian aircraft manufacturing firm, Canadair Limited of Montréal, Québec, part 4

The advertisement “La liberté d’expression,” in English “Freedom of Speech,” published by Canadair Limited of Montréal, Québec, as part of its 1954 Worth Defending advertising campaign. Anon, “Canadair Limited.” La Presse, 13 April 1954, 25.

“Worth Defending” – A brief look at the 1954 advertising campaign of a major Canadian aircraft manufacturing firm, Canadair Limited of Montréal, Québec, part 3

“Freedom of Worship,” one of the advertisements issued by Canadair Limited of Montréal, Québec, as part of its 1954 Worth Defending advertising campaign. Anon., “Canadair Limited.” The Vancouver Province, 5 January 1954, 5.

“Worth Defending” – A brief look at the 1954 advertising campaign of a major Canadian aircraft manufacturing firm, Canadair Limited of Montréal, Québec, part 2

One of the advertisements issued by Canadair Limited of Montréal, Québec, as part of its 1954 Worth Defending advertising campaign. Anon., “Canadair Limited.” Toronto Daily Star, 6 October 1954, 4.

“Worth Defending” – A brief look at the 1954 advertising campaign of a major Canadian aircraft manufacturing firm, Canadair Limited of Montréal, Québec, part 1

William Wallace Denslow’s lavishly illustrated booklet Through Foreign Lands with ‘Sunny Jim.’ https://wwdenslow.blogspot.com/ via Wikipedia.

“Forget that times are tough and grim, cheer up and smile with Sunny Jim” – The crunchy saga of Force Food Company’s Force, the 1st commercially successful wheat flake breakfast cereal on Earth, part 3

A typical advertisement issued by Force Food Company which featured Sunny Jim and, in this case, his spouse. Anon., “Force Food Company.” St. Louis Globe-Democrat, 23 September 1902, 3.

“Forget that times are tough and grim, cheer up and smile with Sunny Jim” – The crunchy saga of Force Food Company’s Force, the 1st commercially successful wheat flake breakfast cereal on Earth, part 2

The roadster of the Société anonyme des automobiles électriques, Concours des véhicules électriques, Paris, France. Charles Dantin, “Automobiles – Les Essais contrôlés de véhicules à traction électrique à accumulateurs (octobre 1924).” Le Génie civil, 27 December 1924, 589.

“Petrol will never kill electricity, especially if the latter is defended by a Kriéger.” Louis Antoine Jules Tony Kriéger and his electric automobiles, including some of the first hybrid vehicles on planet Earth, part 4

The stand of the Compagnie parisienne des voitures électriques at the Exposition internationale de l’automobile, du cycle et des sports, Paris, France. Louis Antoine Jules Tony Kriéger was at its entrance. Anon., “Le Salon de l’automobile.” Le Monde Illustré, 19 December 1903, 551.

“Petrol will never kill electricity, especially if the latter is defended by a Kriéger.” Louis Antoine Jules Tony Kriéger and his electric automobiles, including some of the first hybrid vehicles on planet Earth, part 3

Louis Antoine Jules Tony Kriéger, on the left, at the wheel of an Électrolette a few moments before the beginning of his journey between Paris and Chatellerault, France. Georges Prade was at his side. Georges Prade, “Les records électriques.” La Vie au Grand Air, 27 October 1901, 638.

“Petrol will never kill electricity, especially if the latter is defended by a Kriéger.” Louis Antoine Jules Tony Kriéger and his electric automobiles, including some of the first hybrid vehicles on planet Earth, part 2

A typical hybrid vehicle of the Compagnie parisienne des voitures électriques of Paris, France. Lucien Fournier, “La voiture mixte Kriéger.” La Locomotion automobile, 7 July 1904, 422.

“Petrol will never kill electricity, especially if the latter is defended by a Kriéger.” Louis Antoine Jules Tony Kriéger and his electric automobiles, including some of the first hybrid vehicles on planet Earth, part 1

An Institute for Aerospace Research staff member conducting an inspection on a Shuttle Remote Manipulator System, or Canadarm, around 2000. National Research Council Canada.

“It is only with the DAIS that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye” – A respectful look at a great Canadian aerospace invention, the Diffracto DAIS non destructive testing equipment, and a bit more, part 2

$A technician conducting the first corrosion detection trial, on a Boeing Model 727 test airframe, using a Diffracto DAIS-500 non destructive testing equipment, 1992. National Research Council Canada.$

“It is only with the DAIS that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye” – A respectful look at a great Canadian aerospace invention, the Diffracto DAIS non destructive testing equipment, and a bit more, part 1

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Peter Lymburner Robertson (1879-1951)

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