Toponymie | Canton de Potton | Place Names

This name once honouring William G. Spence was struck from our place names when the road became a private one.

History

Chemin Spence is named for William G. Spence (1918-1989), born in Cleveland, Ohio, and his wife, Mary Ann Ryan Spence (1927-1993).  Bill Spence was a technical consultant and a skilled toolmaker.  As a young man, he worked primarily in the aircraft industry where he was asked to design an aircraft landing gear suitable for rough terrain.  His design failed to meet approval; however it eventually served as the basis for a unique and innovative piece of equipment that Spence later manufactured.  The prototype was developed and tested on Spence's property in Potton, although it was later produced in Vermont. 

The quadractor was a rather ungainly looking but surprisingly useful all terrain tractor – described as “half-June bug on stilts – half lunar lander”.  Although Bill's design was practical, it certainly did lack aesthetics!  A simple box,-in which the driver sat, was installed on four stilt-like short legs, each with a separately articulated wheel run by a series of pulleys and powered by an 8hp motor.  Previous to it being dubbed “The Quadractor”, Spence had named it the “Bog Buggy” because of its all terrain practicality. 

It was in the 1970's that Bill Spence with his financial partners built a production facility in North Troy, Vermont, under the name of “Traction Inc.” and manufactured the quadractor.  At the time a “Quadractor” retailed for $2,900 and was highly touted as the perfect vehicle for the small woodlot/farmer.  It weighed 500-900 lbs, had 4 wheel drive and four wheel steering, with 31'' clearance.  A second factory was opened in Ohio and Mr. Spence investigated serious possibilities of opening a third in China, where his design was considered valuable as a tool in rice paddies and the like.  Unfortunately, the economy of the 1980's proved impossible for Spence to secure the necessary capital for full-scale production of his invention.  His company declared bankruptcy in 1983.  He and his wife then moved back to Mansonville from North Troy.  For those who are so inclined, google quadractor ^[1] where there is an interesting article in Mother Earth News.

Ce nom qui honorait William G. Spence a été rayé de notre toponymie. C'est maintenant un chemin privé.

[1] Personal knowledge, Bill and Mary Spence were my close friends.