P. Frankenstein and Sons (Manchester)
of Victoria Rubber Works, Newton Heath, Manchester, 10. Telephone: Manchester, Failsworthy 1166. Cables: "Proofing, Manchester"
1854 P. Frankenstein and Sons Ltd was founded by Philip Frankenstein. It was a textiles company which began to specialise in working with rubberised fabrics.
1925 Frankenstein Group Ltd was incorporated
From the 1940s it produced specialised safety flying and survival equipment.
1947 British Industries Fair Advert for The "Antirain" Speciality Fashion Rainwear. Also: Rubber proofed piece goods; Hospital Sheetings; Rubberproofed and Gabardine Raincoats - For all Markets. Manufacturers of Rubberised Fabrics of all descriptions. Inflatable Lifesaving Equipment and Protective Clothing. (Textiles Section - Earls Court, Ground Floor, Stand No. 322) [1]
1959 The company produced a prototype flying suit circulating liquid through pipes incorporated within clothing which was used by NASA in trials to develop the Apollo spacesuit. Another Manchester company, Baxter, Woodhouse and Taylor, developed the seals adopted for use in the same spacesuit.
1963 Acquired Baracuta (Clothiers)[2]
1963 Photo of Stansfield Street, Newton Heath, showing the space-age premises here[3]
1965 Share capital quoted on Manchester Stock Exchange
The 1968 cult film 2001: A Space Odyssey featured the iconic yellow space suits made by the firm at their factory in Newton Heath.
1970 Acquired by Slater, Walker Securities[4]
1971 Became part of Allied Polymer Group[5]
1963 photo of factory on Stansfield Street, Newton Heath, here.
See Also
Sources of Information
- [2] BBC Manchester