1851 Great Exhibition: Official Catalogue: Class VI.: Burton and Eames
From Graces Guide
96. BURTON & EAMES, Lenton Works, near Nottingham — Proprietors.
Patent gassing machine, for burning the loose fibre from lace, muslins, and other goods, thereby giving them a more thread-like appearance, without injuring the fabric. Exhibited to show the process of gassing lace, as practised in the town and neighbourhood of Nottingham.
[The operation of "gassing" consists in causing lace, thread, or similar delicate tissues, to pass with such velocity through or between jets of gas as to singe off the loose fibres, without injury to the fabric itself. It was formerly effected by passing the fabric over heated iron cylinders.—R. E.]