Martin and Purdie
of Woolwich
The partnership of William Arena Martin and James Purdie
1859 Experiments were conducted at Martin and Purdie's ironworks at Woolwich based on Taylor's patent for refining crude iron using hydrogen gas. These experiments were followed by large scale, tests at one of the ironworks in South Wales, where the hydrogen was introduced into a puddling furnace. This confirmed that use of hydrogen could speed up the puddling process and improve the quality of the iron without needing to alter the furnace.
1859 Patent to William Arena Martin, and James Purdie, of Woolwich, in the county of Kent, Engineers, in respect of the invention of "improvements in firebars."[1]
The business then moved to Surrey.
1860 Patent to William Arena Martin and James Purdie, of Old Barge House Wharf, Upper Ground-street, in the county of Surrey, Engineers, in respect of the invention of "an improved method of mounting and giving motion to fire bars"[2]
Later succeeded by W. A. Martin and Co