Bill de Vigier and the famous Bailey Bridge

William de Vigier, who died on December 20 aged 91, was the Swiss-born inventor of the Acrow prop.

Arriving in London in 1935 with £50 in his pocket, Bill de Vigier set up a small workshop under Bow arches in the East End making steel props which were adjustable for length by means of a robust screw thread. His ingenious design was at first too revolutionary for a trade which had relied wastefully since time immemorial on wooden pole scaffolding, sawn to fit each use; for three months no builder would listen to him, but eventually a small number - among them the firm of Sir Robert McAlpine & Sons - began to buy his product.

The full article can be found here:

William de Vigier - Telegraph

 

And his 100th birthday is commemorated in his hometown Solothurn/CH with a dedicated exhibition:

100 Jahre Bill de Vigier, 25 Jahre W.A de Vigier Stiftung - W. A. de Vigier