George Singer diversified from cycles to cars in 1905 and made respectable cars for fifty years. One of their young apprentices was William Edward Rootes, later to become the owner. Just before the First World War Singer had launched the Singer Ten at a time when much larger cars, 12 and 14hp were the staple of many companies. It brought them sales and they continued with 9 and 10hp cars as their main business. In the 1930s Singer pioneered independent front suspension and a clutchless gearchange, and their engines had overhead cams at a time when sidevalves were the norm. But technical innovation was often not profitable and in 1955 Singer agreed to join the Rootes Group. The new Singer Gazelle in 1956 kept its ohc engine for a future years before becoming just a rebadged Hillman Minx. The 'Singer' badges stopped being stuck onto Rootes cars in 1970, and within a few years it was Chrysler and then Talbot that appeared on the cars instead.