This week Collection Story volunteer Therese tells us more about the ‘Supreme’ Mouse Trap Making Machine.
In a world governed by the principles of supply and demand, the Standfield firm defied conventional wisdom with their unique approach to manufacturing. At the heart of their operation was the ‘supreme’ mouse trap making machine, a marvel of engineering capable of producing over one thousand traps an hour, all within a mere one and a half seconds.
Unlike their counterparts swept up in the tide of rapid industrialisation, the Standfield firm embraced a ‘making do’ philosophy, repurposing second-hand parts salvaged from scrapyards across Sydney to construct their remarkable machine. Led by AW Standfield, a man with no formal training in machinery, the firm epitomised the Australian spirit of resourcefulness and ingenuity.
Despite the prevailing economic principles of the time, the Standfield firm eschewed traditional market dynamics, relying instead on the natural fluctuations of the rodent population to drive their sales. With only one machine at their disposal, meticulously maintained and adorned with a picture of AW Standfield himself, the firm’s commitment to quality craftsmanship and simplicity paved the way for their enduring success.
The ‘supreme’ mouse trap making machine stands as a testament to the resilience and innovation of Australian manufacturing in the mid-twentieth century, reminding us that true success often lies in daring to forge your own path, regardless of conventional norms.
