Why are Jubilee clips called Jubilee clips?

The stories behind the names of some of today’s most commonly used household gadgets and devices have entered into folklore.

Take, for instance, the Biro – a brand that has become synonymous with the ballpoint pen. The name comes from Hungarian journalist László Bíró who invented the ballpoint in his search for a pen whose ink would not smudge. Another example is the brand Hoover, derived from William Henry Hoover, whose company was the first to mass produce upright electric vacuum cleaners.

The Jubilee Clip is invented

But what about our industry? The first worm-drive hose clamps were called Jubilee Clips – they provided a basic design that exists almost a hundred years later and that here at JCS we continue to improve and build upon.

But what is the tale behind the name Jubilee Clip?

The trademark Jubilee goes back to 1921 when the worm drive hose clip was invented and patented by Commander Lumley Robinson. Lumley had spent time in the British Navy and during his time there realised a new way to attach a hose to a pipe was needed. Lumley founded the business L Robinson and Company (parent company of Jubilee Clips Ltd), which still operates today from a base in Gillingham, Kent.

Name remains a mystery

But when it comes to the origin of the name Jubilee Clip, I’m afraid to report that while a number of theories exist none can be substantiated.

We found one online forum where a contributor claims to have contacted L Robinson and Company asking for the story behind the name Jubilee Clip and was told that Lumley took the secret with him to the grave.

The date 1921 does not correlate with any Royal Jubilee – Queen Victoria had celebrated her diamond jubilee in 1897 and it wouldn’t be until 1935 that another significant royal landmark would occur – George V’s silver jubilee.

Another theory is that Lumley couldn’t think of a name and therefore used the name of a bridge that he walked over every day on his way to work. We’ve checked a map of Gillingham and can find no reference to a Jubilee bridge only a street called Jubilee Terrace.

So, it would seem, the source of the Jubilee Clip brand name is still a mystery although Lumley’s invention remains as essential and useful today as it did over 90 years ago when the worm-drive hose clamp was first conceived.

 

For more information on our range of worm-drive hose clamp please contact us on +44 (0)1787 376212 or email sales@jcshi-torque.co.uk

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