W. Smith and Co (Witney)
A George Smith is recorded as working in the Witney blanket trade by 1738
c.1850 William Smith founded the blanket-making firm of W. Smith and Co. Initially he used a donkey-powered spinning machine
1857 William Smith introduced the first steam engine into the Witney blanket industry.
Smith also continued to make mops and tilts (greasy sheets with some water repellency used for waggon coverings)
1926 Manchester wholesalers J. and N. Philips and Co acquired a large interest in W. Smith and Co (Witney), of Witney, Oxfordshire, blanket manufacturers, forming W. Smith and Co and J. and N. Philips (Witney)
By the 1930s mops were no longer made by the company which concentrated on making blankets, including point blankets, cellular blankets and hospital blankets.
See Also
Sources of Information
- [1] Witney Blankets