William Boulton (engineer)

William Boulton (1812-1892) was a British engineer and inventor prominent in the ceramics industry. He was born in Burslem, Staffordshire, a major center of pottery production, and spent his career innovating and improving machinery used in the manufacture of ceramics.

Boulton founded William Boulton Ltd., an engineering firm specializing in machinery for the pottery industry. The company became a major supplier of equipment to potteries both in the UK and internationally. His work focused on increasing the efficiency and automation of pottery production processes.

He is best known for his improvements to existing pottery manufacturing technologies, rather than ground-breaking inventions of entirely new processes. Boulton's contributions included advancements in machinery for grinding clay, mixing materials, shaping pottery (including the development of improved jiggering and jolleying machines), and drying ware. He held numerous patents for his inventions and improvements related to pottery manufacturing.

Boulton was also active in the local community, contributing to the development of Burslem. His company remained a significant employer in the area for many years after his death, contributing to the growth of the ceramics industry in Stoke-on-Trent. The company, under various names and ownership, continued to operate for over a century, a testament to the enduring impact of his engineering contributions.