Lombe family

Sectors:

  • Textile production Silk textiles production inc throwing & weaving

Notes:

The Lombe family were important innovators of silk making technology on an industrial scale. The half brothers, Sir Thomas Lombe, 1685-1739, and John Lombe, c1695-1722, obtained a patent and gathered information in Italy via espionage, to established a pioneering silk mill at Derby designed by George Sorocold. In production around 1720 with success. Disposed of by Lombe family in 1739 when acquired by Richard Wilson with William and Samuel Lloyd. Subsequently operated by others including Taylor family by 1830s and in 1733-34 involved in an employee lock out well known in labour history. Taylors were bankrupt in 1865. Mill, which had been rebuilt after a fire in 1826, ceased silk production in 1910. Otherwise known as Old Derby Silk Mill

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