1842 British Association Mechanical Exhibition

held in Manchester.

The 12th meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science was held in Manchester in June 1842.

'THE MECHANICAL EXHIBITION.
One of the most interesting features connected with the meeting is the Mechanical Exhibition on the premises of Mr. Charles Wainwright, dyer, Old Garratt, only a few minutes' walk from the Royal Institution, and already a great number of strangers have been to visit it. This exhibition consists of a great number of machines, and working models, applicable to most of the various manufacturing processes of the district. Two noble rooms, each 120 ft. by 36 ft., have been appropriated for the purpose, and steam power is supplied by an eighteen horse engine. Among the machines which fell under our observation we may mention the following:-

In the Lower Room.- A slotting-machine, sent by Messrs. Sharp, Roberts and Co., also a polygon, or nut shaping-machine, a planing-machine, a turret clock, a paper cutting machine, from the same firm; a six-colour cylinder printing-machine, from Mr. Houtson's, and a six-colour surfacing machine, and some hydraulic pumps, from the same gentleman; a patent cylinder printing-machine, from Mr. Ollivant; some machinery from Messrs. James Slight and Co., of Edinburgh; a riveting-machine and water- wheel governor, sent by Mr. William Fairbairn; a patent centering machine, a patent portable vice, a boring-chuck, and an upright drilling-machine, from Messrs. Elce and Co.

In the Upper Room - is to be seen one of M'Kenzie's new patent machines for measuring and folding cloth a couple of tables, for calico printing, on a new principle, only occupying half the space which such machines generally do, from Messrs. Thomas Hoyle and Sons; a six-horse rotatory steam engine, from Messrs. Peter Taylor and Co.; model of Captain Sleigh's breakwater, for securing vessels in harbour in rough weather; Mr. Wignall's patent pneumatic railway signals for preventing collisions and for conveying intelligence from one end of the line to the other; a case of card-making machines from Mr. Horsfall; and a model of a locomotive engine on a new-principle, by Mr. Gooch, engineer to the Manchester and Leeds Railway. Amongst other machines and models in this room, are models of a patent boiler and furnace for the saving of fuel, and the production of an increased evaporation of steam; model of a tilting and discharging machine, from Messrs. Slight and Co., of Edinburgh; a patent tiering machine, from Mr. James Hudson; a loom for weaving toilet quilts, from Messrs. Thomas Pearson and Son, Bolton; Davis's patent model loom, from Messrs. Chanter and Co.; patent reefing paddles, from Messrs. Peter Taylor and Co., Hollinwood; Mr. James Drew's model of a smoke consumer; a small riveting machine, from Mr. William Fairbairn; Mr. Samuel Hall's patent carbonizing machine for furnaces; improved paper staining and printing tables, from Messrs. W. & J. Galloway ; a beautiful model of the bridge (the design of Mr. G. W. Buck, engineer), by which the Manchester and Birmingham Railway crosses the Hyde Road; and a cut screw for a lathe, 36 feet in length, the longest probably ever made, from the works of Messrs. Sharp, Roberts and Co. Along the whole of one side is a spacious table for the exhibition of models from London, Birmingham, Leeds, &c. &c.

'The object of this exhibition was principally to bring under the attention of scientific strangers, with the least possible inconvenience to themselves, some of the rare and extraordinary mechanical contrivances for which the neighbourhood is celebrated, since it was obvious that to visit them in operation at the different works would not only be a work of some labour, but would be attended by a considerable waste of time and money. Our manufacturers, however, have not been niggard in showing their works and warehouses, and invitations were given to company visiting the meeting of the Association by the following firms :-

Messrs. Sharp, Roberts, and Co., Falkner-street; Mr. Fairbairn, Canal-street; Messrs. Whitworth, Chorlton-street; Mr. Houtson, Minshull- street; Mr. Ollivant, David-street; Messrs. Elce and Co., Jersey-street, and Mr. Bodmer, machinists; Messrs. McConnel, cotton spinners, Union-street; Messrs. Birley, Cambridge-street; Messrs. Wood and Westhead's, Brook-street; Messrs. Galloway, iron founders, Knott-mill; Messrs. Royle & Crompton, silk manufacturers, Bridgewater-street ; Mr. J. H. M'Connel, spinner; Messrs. Coates and M'Naughton, calico printing works, Strangeways; Manchester Gas Works; Messrs. Philips and Co., warehouse, Church street; Messrs. Gisborne and Wilsons, printers, Salford ; Mr. Holt; Messrs. L. Schwabe and Co., embroidery manufacturers, Portland-street; Messrs. J. Locket and Co., engravers to calico printers; Messrs. Henry and E. Tootal, silk manufacturers, York-street; Mr. John Hetherington, plane maker, Shudehill, Messrs. Mush and Clarke, paper stainers, George-street; Messrs. Parr, Curtis, & Co,., patent card manufacturers, Store-street; M. Murray, cotton spinner, Union street; Messrs. Hoyle and Sons, print Works, Mayfield, Messrs. Nasmyth, Gaskill, and Co., engine manufacturers, Patricroft; Messrs. Johnson and Co., wire workers, Dale-street; Messrs. Appleton, paper manufactory, Smedley ; Messrs. George Smith and Co.'s silk manufacturers, Lower Mosley-street; Messrs Eveleigh and Neave, Salford; Messrs. Woolfall and Percival, glass manufacturer, Oldham-road; Messrs Molineux, Webb and Co., flint glass manufacturers, Kirbv-street, Canal-street; Messrs. Potters and Norris, warehouse, George-street; Messrs. S. Fletcher and Sons, warehouse, Parker-street; Messrs. Townsend and Hickson, warehouse, Market-street; Messrs. Hargreaves and Dugdale, warehouse, Meal street; and Messrs. John Burd and Sons, warehouse, 17, Mosley-street.’

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