Calico Printers Association Ltd The Calico Printers' Association Ltd was established in Manchester through the amalgamation of 46 textile printing companies and 13 textile merchants in 1899, in reaction to increased competition within the textile printing market and a decline in quality of goods and profit margins for manufacturers and wholesalers. The amalgamation was an attempt to preserve the tradition and standing of calico printing and to produce textiles of a high standard at reasonable prices. At the time of its inception, the company accounted for 80% of the printed cloth produced in Britain. The company's first chairman was F F Grafton, and the headquarters were located on Charlotte Street, Manchester. The company moved to more suitable premises in Mosley Street, Manchester, and in 1912 built the St James' Buildings on Oxford Street, Manchester. The company also had premises on Princess Street, Manchester, where designers from some of the individual producers represented by the Calico Printers' Association had design studios.
As well as representing manufacturers of printed cloth, the Calico Printers' Association engaged in research and development of textiles, including the development of polyethylene terephthalate in 1941, manufactured as Terylene by ICI and now known as PET.
By the 1950s, the company had expanded its operations to include spinning, weaving, merchanting, finishing, making-up, and wholesale and retail distribution of textiles, textile engineering, and the manufacture and distribution of chemicals.
The company merged with the English Sewing Cotton Company in 1968, and became part of a new organisation, English Calico Ltd.
Schofield, Margaret Gilmour Margaret Gilmour Schofield was born Margaret Gilmour Barclay in Edinburgh in 1916. She was educated at Bouroughmuir Secondary School, Edinburgh, and attended Edinburgh University. Here, she was awarded a BSc for Scientific Studies in 1937 and a PhD in Chemistry in 1939. Her thesis was titled "The Catalytic Hydrogenation of Acenaphtene - Quinone and related compounds". She was recruited by the Calico Printers Association in 1939 and employed as a research chemist until 1947. Her preliminary laboratory work with the CPA was towards the development of a highly resistant synthetic polyester fibre and she subsequently joined the research team working on Terylene. She left the CPA in 1947 to start a family.
The Textile Institute The Textile Institute was established in Manchester in 1910, initially with nearly two hundred members representing various areas of the textile industry within Britain and internationally. The Textile Institute received a Royal Charter in 1925 and is registered as a charity in England. The Textile Institute continues to act as a membership body for textile professionals and organisations and serves textile-related industries worldwide. As of 2024 The Textile Institute described its role as advancing "the general interests of the textile industry worldwide, more particularly in relation to the acquisition and application of knowledge for the benefit of mankind."
University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh was founded in 1582 in Edinburgh, Scotland, and was originally known as Tounis College. The institution was founded as a college of law and, until 1858, was governed by the Town Council of the city. In 1935 the Faculty of Divinity of the University of Edinburgh and New College merged, representing the first change to the university's constitution. Another merger followed in 1951, this time with the Royal Dick Veterinary School. In 1998 Edinburgh expanded again, this time merging with Moray House Institute of Education. In 2002 the University underwent a restructuring process that saw Faculties abolished, and the creation of the College of Humanities & Social Science, the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine and the College of Science & Engineering. Departments became Schools within the new Colleges.
Lens Studios Lens Studios was a photography business based at 43 Argyle Place, Edinburgh. The business is known to have been operational in 1939 and was involved in taking graduation photographs for students at the University of Edinburgh.
Campbell Harper Studios Campbell Harper Studios was the photography business of John Campbell Harper. Initially based in Leith Walk, Campbell Harper first advertised himself as a 'learner, just left school' in October 1907 and the shop is described as 'formerly Harper & Smellie.' Campbell Harper later moved his business to 13 South David Street, near Edinburgh's Princes Street, where he sold cameras and related accessories as well as running a photo studio. By 1970 the managing director of the company was George Robb, formerly head of Ferranti's Film Unit, and services offered included aerial photography. The business is known to have been operational until at least 1972.
HMSO Established in 1786 to arrange for the supply of stationery to central government departments. Its responsibilities later included printing of parliamentary publications and Crown Copyright. In 1972 responsibility was handed to the Lord Privy Seal. 1786-current (2010), publisher; printer, Norwich
The Chemical Society In 1841, 77 scientists, including doctors, academics, manufacturers and entrepreneurs, formed the Chemical Society of London as a result of increased interest in scientific matters. It’s purpose was ‘the general advancement of Chemical Science’ and one of its aims was to hold meetings for ‘the communication and discussion of discoveries and observations, an account of which shall be published by the Society.’ It was granted a Royal Charter in 1848 and it eventually became a major published in the field of chemistry.
In 1980 the Chemical Society merged with the Society for Analytical Chemistry, the Royal Institute of Chemistry and the Faraday Society to become the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Nature (Journal) British multidisciplinary scientific journal, established in 1869.
Brunnschweiler, David David Brunnschweiler was born in Manchester in 1927 and attended school in Chorlton. Brunnschweiler was a graduate of the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. In the course of his career he became an executive of various nonwovens manufacturing companies and industry suppliers, including Cosmopolitan Textiles and NIRI. Brunnschweiler served as the Chairman of The Textiles Institute, as well as chairing the Institute's Diplomas and Publications committees. The University of Leeds recognised Brunnschweiler's expertise, awarding him an honorary doctorate and employing him as a Visiting Professor of Nonwovens.
Hearle, J W S John William Stanley Hearle (J.W.S. Hearle), was a textile expert, author and editor of books on the subject, including "Polyester: Tomorrow's Ideas & Profits, 50 years of achievement" (1993). Hearle graduated from the University of Cambridge in 1947 and went on to become Professor of Textile Technology, Head of the
Department of Textiles, and Dean of the Faculty of Technology at the University of Manchester
Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST).
