1864 - John Isaac Thornycroft founded John I. Thornycroft and Co, boatbuilding at Church Wharf, Chiswick, London

1872 - partnership of John Issac Thornycroft with John Donaldson;

1901 - public company with limited liability created as John I Thornycroft and Company Limited

1901 - became a public company in order to acquire the business of builders of torpedo boats and to bring in more capital.

1902 - Built their first petrol-engine vehicle.

1904 - largely moved to Woolston, Southampton.

1907 - the vehicle side of the company completed its move into internal combustion engine power.

1909 - Chiswick yard closed.

1948 - the vehicle making side of the company was put into a wholly-owned subsidiary, Transport Equipment (Thornycroft) Ltd, to prevent confusion with the shipbuilding company.

1966 - company taken over by Vosper and Co and called Vosper Thornycroft by 1970.