Prestwich, John Alfred 1874 - 1952

(1874-1952), engineer and inventor

John Alfred Prestwich, born 1874 in Kensington, London was an English engineer, designer, and businessman. In 1895, he founded the company J. A. Prestwich Industries when he was in his early 20s and continued in the production of various components until 1963. The company specialized in precision engineering which led to the development of their first motorcycles—including their own J.A.P. engines. Complete machines were manufactured between 1904 and 1908.

Prestwich was also a pioneer in the early development of cinematography projectors and cameras, and had worked with, Sebastian Ziani de Ferranti and later the cinema pioneer William Friese-Greene. He was awarded the Edward Longstreth Medal by the Franklin Institute in 1919.

He died on the 28th November 1952 in his home at Coltishall, 35 Broad Walk, Winchmore Hill, London.