Industrial Disease Collection

Making beaver hats, 1841. Although called beaver hats, a certain amount beaver fur was only used in the most expensive examples. In most others, rabbit fur was used

Making beaver hats, 1835. Although called beaver hats, a certain amount of beaver fur was only used in the most expensive examples. In most others, rabbit fur was used

Making beaver hats, 1750. Although called beaver, little or no beaver fur was used. According to quality, nap on felt fabric was made of mixtures of beaver, musquash or rabbit fur, and cotton wool

Needle-making equipment, 1819. The large machine at bottom right is George Priors dry grinder with a box partly enclosing the grindstone to minimise dust (1813)

Lead smelting, 1556. From De re metallica by Agricola (Georg Bauer). (Basel, 1556)

Separating lead from silver or gold in a cupellation furnace, 1556. The Foreman consumed quantities of butter to avoid being poisoned (to prevent absorption of lead in the stomach)

Glass manufacturing, 1760. Making crown glass by blowing (left) and plate glass by casting (right). Glass workers were susceptible to cataracts caused by the glare of the furnace

Hat Maker. Manufacture of beaver hats by felting material in a kettle (background) and blocking (shaping) the hat and brushing the pile. Although called beaver, little or no beaver fur was used

Grinding needle points, Redditch, England, c1830. A grindstone driven by water or steam. Needle grinding was well-paid work but the lives of grinders were short owing to the inhalation of dust

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