During the second World War T.W. “Dumbo” Willans served as a Pathfinder parachutist. This led to a post in air transport development and, later, in Army Operational Research.

Returning eventually to “Civvy Street” Major Willans continued his airborne activities – now as a freelance test-parachutist and consultant.

Live test work included new pilot escape systems from G.Q. Parachutes, Irvin Air Chutes and Folland Aircraft.

When car safety harness became accepted as a way of reducing road deaths, G.Q. Parachutes became involved. Design changes to the G.Q. Type Z aircrew safety harness made it particularly suitable for installation in race-cars.

Willans – already in a consulting capacity to G.Q. – undertook technical liaison between that Company and race-car constructors.

When a decision was taken by G.Q. to close the car harness project Willans, now heavily involved, began manufacturing.

Early Willans-manufactured harnesses used G.Q. basic design and materials. Work carried out by Dr. Michael Henderson contributed greatly to motor-race safety of that period. His book, “Motor Racing In Safety”, was published in 1968. Willans design changes resulted in faster driver escape. Soon the majority of Formula – One drivers were using the re-designed harness. This was a modest operation, which began life in a small shed in Henley-on-Thames.

Willans Harness Manufacturing Ltd was founded in March 1972. Its purpose was to undertake marketing of race-car safety harness then manufactured by T.W. Willans, safety equipment consultant.

In 1978 the race-car operation was sold to Willans main distributor, Stockbridge Racing Ltd., with the right to use the “Willans” logo on race-harness of their own design. The original marketing Company – Willans Harness Manufacturing Ltd., now took over manufacturing from the Willans consultancy.

The first tree surgeon harness had been manufactured in 1976. In 1992 the company achieved registration under BS 5750. Own products, in addition to contract development work, now included aircraft, marine and industrial items.

By 1994 the T22/2 tree surgeon harness was in production. Later that year it was joined by the T23 and then by the T20 full harness. The latter were approved to three standards and added fall-arrest capability to the range. Further harness types followed.

Willans Harness Mfg. Ltd. remains a family business operating under ISO 9001-2015