Building    From 1859  To 1868

Atlas Dyeworks

Categories: Industry, Science

The Simpson, etc. plaque commemorates the Dyeworks which were at Victory Place 1859 - 68. This page refers to that site but also refers to the Hackney Dyeworks to which Atlas expanded. The photo shows the buildings in Hackney, not Victory Place, of which we can find no image.

Following the work done with synthetic aniline dyes by Perkin (discovery of mauve in 1856) the chemists, Maule and Nicholson, working in Simpson's Victory Place laboratory in 1859, created a dye with a red-purple colour which they called "roseine". The firm began manufacturing it and in 1860 it was renamed "magenta" after the Battle of Magenta, 1859. A commercial success.

In 1868 Maule and Nicholson retired and the firm became Brooke, Simpson & Spiller.

From Homunculus we learn: "In 1873 William Perkin sold his dye company to ... Brooke, Simpson and Spiller."

The RSC Historical Group Newsletter, February 2010, says "... the dyeworks soon outgrew the Victory Place site, and a bigger workplace was built at Hackney, with a research block, a tall central chimney and a giant Atlas figure proudly proclaiming aloft their successful pioneering venture." In 1987 The Hackney Society lists The Atlas Works, Berkshire Road, as a "building at risk". That source says it was built in 1863 and that in 1983 part of it was demolished, including the frontage "topped by a large stone statue of Atlas."

1910-58 the Atlas Works was occupied by The British Patent Perforated Paper Company, one of the first British companies to manufacture continuous and perforated toilet paper, Bronco.

CgMs, an archaeological desk-based assessment, is a planning report which includes the history of the area. It contains a various maps etc. which make it clear that Atlas Works was on the northern half of the block contained by Berkshire Road, Wallis Road, the River Lea Navigation and an unnamed access road.

We can discover nothing about the fate of Atlas himself.

And next door to the Atlas works was the Parkesine factory.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Atlas Dyeworks

Commemorated ati

Bronco toilet paper

Bronco, the first perforated toilet paper, was developed here. The firm origi...

Read More

Simpson, Maule and Nicholson

The rather odd wording of the plaque is explained by an item in the RSC Histo...

Read More

Other Subjects

Patrick Holland

Patrick Holland

From Custom House, a stevedore at Royal Docks for 20 years, shown in the sculpture as the tally clerk.

Person, Industry

1 memorial
Royal Docks' workers and their families

Royal Docks' workers and their families

During the 126 years of its working life the Royal Docks, the largest enclosed docks in the world, must have employed a huge number of people.

Group, Industry

1 memorial
Palmer Tyre Company

Palmer Tyre Company

From Car History: In June 1892 John F. Palmer (American) obtained two US patents for a “thread-fabric” bicycle pneumatic tire. Shortly afterwards he moved to England; registering the Palmer Tire Co...

Group, Industry, Transport

1 memorial
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Archibald Davis Dawnay

Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Archibald Davis Dawnay

Born Archibald Davis Dawnay. Mayor of Wandsworth 1908 - his death in 1919. We can find nothing about the man but here's some information about his company, from the magnificent Grace's Guide, in 19...

Person, Armed Forces, Industry, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Henry Ramoisy

Henry Ramoisy

Director of Vinot Cars Limited

Person, Industry

1 memorial

Previously viewed

James Butler RA

James Butler RA

One of Britain's foremost figurative sculptors. Born New Cross. Interestingly, his stevedore father built his childhood home in West Malling, Kent. Appointed MBE in 2009. Our information comes fro...

Person, Sculpture

5 memorials
Jerome K. Jerome

Jerome K. Jerome

Novelist and playwright. Born Jerome Clapp Jerome at Bradford Street, Walsall, Staffordshire. He supposedly changed his middle name to Klapka in homage to General George Klapka, a hero of the Hunga...

Person, Literature

2 memorials
George Tinworth

George Tinworth

Ceramic artist. Born 6 Milk Street, SE5. The whole area has been rebuilt but Milk Street used to run parallel to Red Lion Row, just to the east. From Mapping of Sculpture: "... enrolled at Lambeth...

Person, Art, Craft / Design

4 memorials
Roman invasion

Roman invasion

The first Roman invasions of Britain took place in 55-54 BCE - Julius Caesar had two attempts. The Roman conquest was only completed in 43 BCE by Emperor Claudius.

Event, Armed Forces, Romans

1 memorial
George Armstrong
War dead, WW1
1 memorial