W. H. Harling
of 117 Moorgate, London, EC2.; of 40 Hatton Garden, London. (1883).
1846 William Henry Harling commenced in the trade
1851 Based at 6 Retreat Place in Hackney
By 1860 his business was at Mare Street.
1870 Lived at and his business was at 9 London Place.
Around 1877 he opened retail premises at 40 Hatton Garden. The manufactory was still at London Place. This seems to coincide with him manufacturing items for direct sale rather than supplying other retailers.
1881 Drawing Instrument Maker employing 18 Men and 4 Boys.[1]
1883 His manufactory moved to Grosvenor Works (London Fields) from London Place.
1889 April 23rd. The retail and office premises moved to 7 Finsbury Pavement.
1895 William Henry Harling died. The business was passed to Harling's youngest daughter Florence and her husband John Russell Berg.
1913 The company moved its manufactory to Upper Clapton from London Fields. Confusingly both manufactories were known as Grosvenor Works.
c.1922 47 Finsbury Pavement was renamed 117 Moorgate. Harling remain at this address until their take-over in 1963
1929 They ceased making instruments to the traditional pattern and changed to flat pattern ones.
1929 Advert for 'British Made Drawing Instruments'. Manufacturers of Drawing Instruments, Tee Squares, Slide Rules, Eidographs, Pantographs, and all Drawing Office requisites. (Scientific Section - Stand No. O.7).[2]
John Russel Berg died in 1930 and his wife, Florence Susannah Berg in 1932. The company was passed to some of their children. (William James - Chairman ran the factory, Alan Harling – sales and distribution, Amy – book-keeper and company secretary).
On 12th February 1930 W. H. Harling Limited (00245713) was incorporated.
On 19 December 1963 Harling Instruments was formed by Blundell Rules.
In January 1964 Blundell Rules Ltd purchased the assets of W. H. Harling Ltd.
1964 Having merged with Blundell Rules to form Blundell Harling, they moved to the Blundell premises in Weymouth.
On 17 April 1968 Blundell Rules Ltd was renamed Blundell Harling Ltd.
On 19 October 1970 the dormant W H Harling Ltd was dissolved.
Harling commenced by making English pattern drawing instruments. This continued until 1940 whereupon their product range was reduced to a minimum due to the Second World War. There is currently no evidence that they resumed making these instruments after the war. C.1918 Harling introduced the British Empire (flat pattern) range. Production of these continued into the 1960s, after the take-over by Blundell Rules Ltd.
Throughout its life, W H Harling was known for innovative designs. In particular, in the 1950s, their range of Centex beam compasses should be noted.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ 1881 Census
- ↑ 1929 British Industries Fair Advert 119 and p75