The J.B. Campbell Waterwheel Company specialized in traditional water wheels and how they could be used as esthetic elements in the landscape. Consequently, much of the company's work was for decorative power plants for private estates or for historic restorations. The company was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1920.

John Blake Campbell was born in Roanoke, Va., in 1890 and studied engineering at Cornell University. During 1915-1916 he studied the old water-powered mills which survived near his home in Virginia, and in 1916-1917 he was an engineering salesman for the Fitz Water Wheel Company of Hanover, Pa., a firm that specialized in small hydro-power installations.

After serving in the Army Engineers during 1917-1919, Campbell moved to Philadelphia and founded his own company in 1920. He designed overshot water wheels in welded steel, essentially applying modern production technology to a relatively primitive device. He also worked on turbine installations, municipal water systems and flood control, but he came to specialize in traditional water wheels and was particularly interested in them as esthetic elements in the landscape. Consequently, much of his work was for decorative power plants for private estates or for historic restorations. His customers included Henry Ford, numerous Rockefellers and du Ponts, as well as the Hagley Museum and Batsto Furnace restorations.