The SMITHS brand of instruments has a rich history dating back to 1851, when Samuel Smith Junior began selling clocks and watches in the Strand, London. The SMITHS brand has since become one of the most famous and recognizable car and motorcycle gauge brands in the world.
The royal connection
Incredibly, the origin of the extensive range of SMITHS automotive gauges developed over the years lay with British royalty, and in particular, King Edward VII. A passionate motorist , King Edward VII ascended the throne in 1901 and reigned for nine years before his death in 1910. In 1899, prior to his accession, the Prince of Wales purchased his first Daimler. To ensure the smooth operation of his royal fleet, he appointed a Master of Motors within the royal household to oversee all matters relating to these vehicles. His passion for automobiles flourished, and he added further models to his collection. One of his favorite outings was a 70-mile trip to Newmarket for the horse races.
SMITHS speedometer for King Edward VII
It was during the 70-mile drive to Newmarket that the King became interested in his car's top speed. At the time, he owned a Mercedes-Simplex with an 18- to 28-horsepower engine, and local lore tells how the King asked Gordon Smith for a device to measure his car's speed. The Mercedes-Simplex was manufactured between 1904 and 1905 and had a rated power of 28 hp at 1,200 rpm with a top speed of 50 mph.
The historical SMITHS records include all speedometer orders. The first page of the first register bears, as entry no. 1, "HM The King, Buckingham Palace." This incredible historical record shows that the automotive legacy of SMITHS Instruments was indeed launched by British royalty.
SMITHS register showing King Edward VII's speedometer control
Since the first speedometer in 1904, SMITHS gauges have appeared in numerous royal cars, with specific speedometers designed to operate in step with motorcades, gauges for classic Rolls-Royce cars, and gauges for classic Aston Martins, favored by the current King Charles III.
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