In 1895 John Dennis (1871-1939) opened the
Universal Athletic Stores in High Street, Guildford.
He was joined by his brother Raymond Dennis (1878-1939)
and they began producing the 'Speed King'
and 'Speed Queen' bicycles.
The brothers expanded into motor tricycles, and
by 1900 were making motor quadricycles.

In 1901 Dennis Bros. Ltd moved into a factory designed for
the production of their motor vehicles on the corner of
Onslow Street and Bridge Street, in Guildford. Surrey.

The brothers launched their first motor car in 1902,
buses in 1903, followed by vans and lorries,
and fire engines, the most famous of
Dennis Vehicles, from 1908.
 
Dennis vehicles, especially fire engines, were exported around the world, including to the fire services of Singapore, Athens,
Brisbane, Barbados, Cairo, Penang and Shanghai.

At the time of writing the company is owned by the
Mayflower Group and specialist vehicles
continue to be produced.

The example illustrated is a Gardner engined model dating
from 1919 & was seen in Gifford on 7th July 2007
 It's owned by local man James Aitchison.