The Brooks story abbreviated

1866

John Boultbee Brooks establishes in Great Charles Street, Birmingham

1882

Brooks files first patent for a sprung leather saddle

1882-1939

Brooks manufactures a comprehensive range of saddles and leather accessories as well as producing furniture, motorcycle saddles, and owning a motorcycle company

1939-1945

Brooks helps out during the war (and reduces its bicycle inventory)

1945-1955

Expansion in Britain’s post-war ration years (up to 1,500 staff in 1955)

1959

Buy out by Raleigh

1962

Downsizing and move to Downing Street, Smethwick on the outskirts Birmingham

2000

Sturmey-Archer goes into liquidation and Brooks goes independent

2002-2010

Selle Royal takes over with Brooks trading as “Brooks England” (30 staff in Smethwick producing in the order of 80,000 saddles a year whilst Brooks bags and carryalls are produced under license in China )

ADDIT: Brooks England have finally added a timeline on their website.

http://blog.brooksengland.com/wps/brooks-historical-timeline/#more-4285