Symons played a significant role in evolving the modern-day crushing market with several innovations a century ago – including the cone crusher.

Symons designed the pillar shaft gyratory crusher in the early 20th century. The horizontal disc crusher was also an early invention of Symons, who started his own company along with his brothers called Symons Brothers Co.

Perhaps most importantly, Symons designed the Symons cone crusher in 1923. The design rights for the crusher were sold to Nordberg just a few years later, with the Symons cone crusher making a lasting imprint on aggregate processing.