|
Industrial unrest in the first half of the
19th century, and the great tinplate
worker’s strike |
Background
During the 18th century,
Wolverhampton became a town of small trades. Many tiny
workshops were set up, often in yards behind a family’s
home, where the man of the house carried out his trade,
ably assisted by his wife and children. The town became
the centre of the lock making industry, yet to be
dominated by Willenhall. Sketchley & Adams’ Directory of
Wolverhampton for 1770 lists 118 lockmakers, producing
locks of all kinds. Other important industries listed in
the directory included 116 buckle makers, 30 steel toy
makers, and a small number of wood screw makers, watch
chain makers, and chape makers.
Around this time steel jewellery
became fashionable, and during the next 25 years, large
quantities were produced locally, until fashion changed,
and the industry became uneconomical. In 1773 the Mander
family began to make a name for themselves because of
the work of two brothers, John, an industrial chemist,
and Benjamin who began making varnish for the
flourishing japanning industry, which for around one
hundred years, became one of the most important
industries in the town. |
