Lancashire Textile Industry

 

A talk by Ian Gibson

A brief look at the major inventions, development and decline.

Ian was the Head of Lancashire County Museum service before retirement. This talk starts with a brief look at historic early textile processes and earliest known surviving textile material.  Via the ARCCH inventors there follows a condensed overview of the development of surviving textile machinery and sites where it can be seen.

Ian graduated in Mechanical Engineering and initially concentrated on nuclear engineering but following the Jost Report switched to obtaining postgraduate qualification in Tribology (the study of Lubrication Friction & Wear).  I year teaching General Science at a Secondary School, followed by 3 years lecturing & research at Lanchester Polytechnic (now Coventry University), and then commercial tribology research mainly related to the Wankel Rotary Engine.

Complete change of career in November 1973 when I became a founder member of staff of Lancashire County Museum Service which then had no Collections and no Museums!!  Retired in November 2010 by which time there were 13 sites operated by the Museum.  Still work part time as an Industrial Heritage Advisor (especially at the Boat Museum’s 3 sites) and Classic car and tractor enthusiast!!