Donkin, Hall & Gamble.

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kiwi
Posts: 4833
Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2017 2:53 am

Donkin, Hall & Gamble.

Postby kiwi » Sun Feb 05, 2017 1:56 am

The world’s first can making and canning plant was established in Blue Anchor Lane South London by Donkin, Hall & Gamble and began commercial operations in May 1813 with the objective of supplying canned foods to customers, such as the British Admiralty
Donkin & Hall bought the Patent in 1812 from another Englishman Peter Durand who is credited with the first canned food patent, though it was Donkin, Hall and Gamble who made & supplied it to the World. Donkin's interest in canning ended in 1821 when he dissolved his partnership with Hall and Gamble. It isn't clear why, but the impression from his diaries is that canning was more of an engineering challenge than a passion. Of Donkin's factory, today, now a school car park on Southwark Park Road, there is little evidence of the industry which, 200 years ago, was about to spread around the globe. The firm of Donkin, Hall and Gamble was later merged into Crosse & Blackwell.
Bryan Donkin was the same person as in Donkin, Hall & Gamble.
Blue Anchor Lane..jpg
donkin.jpg
A model of a Fairbairn Pattern Beam Engine
of circa 1860 as built by Bryan Donkin & Co.

fosney
Posts: 836
Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2017 4:18 pm

Re: Donkin, Hall & Gamble.

Postby fosney » Mon Mar 13, 2017 1:59 pm

We are all aware of the many industries that once occupied a vast area of Bermondsey and employed many people.

But when you open your next Tin can are you aware the the worlds first can making factory was established in Bermondsey on the site of the now Harris Academy the former Aylwin Girls School.

A plaque commemorating the first production of canned foods by Bryan Donkin FRS and John Gamble on this site still remains on the old Schoolkeeper's House and can be seen from Southwark Park Road.

Although not a local boy, Donkin, a Northumbrian, was a clever man who turned his hand to a wide range of skills.

The firm of Donkin, Hall and Gamble, merged with Crosse and Blackwells to supply metal tins for their products.

1803 Bryan Donkin and Co became established in Fort Road, Bermondsey
1808 Patented the steel pen
1810 Gold Medal for the invention of the tachometer
1813 Invented the rotary printer
1813 Started can production in Bermondsey
1819 Invented counting and dividing machine
1822 Instrumental in founding the Institute of Engineers

Surely this site should be awarded a Southwark Blue Plaque Awa


1Donkin1.jpg
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DonkinPlaqueHarrisacadamy5.jpg

fosney
Posts: 836
Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2017 4:18 pm

Re: Donkin, Hall & Gamble.

Postby fosney » Mon Mar 13, 2017 2:04 pm

Posted by billwinte

Thanks Joe for that piece of information that was something that I was
was not aware of and I am sure that a great number of Bermondsey
people did not know either. Please keep the knowledge coming .
Your'e doing a grand job . Be Lucky

kiwi
Posts: 4833
Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2017 2:53 am

Re: Donkin, Hall & Gamble.

Postby kiwi » Wed Mar 22, 2017 11:47 pm

Bryan Donkin (1768-1855) died at his home, 6 The Paragon, New Kent Road. There is a picture of the Paragon on the New Kent Road Topic.
Attachments
early donkins can.png
Early Donkin Can.

kiwi
Posts: 4833
Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2017 2:53 am

Re: Donkin, Hall & Gamble.

Postby kiwi » Sat Sep 16, 2017 11:17 am

DONKIN 1888  X.jpg
1888
DONKIN  X.jpg
1888


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