Duckhams

Advertising Plaque.

October 1949.

1966.

1967.

July 1970.

Enamel advertising sign for 'Adcoids' at Oakham Treasures

Alexander Duckham and Co, makers of industrial lubricants, cutting oils, greases and degreasants and preservatives, commercial lubricating oils, of Fulham, London

of West Wickham, Kent (1968)

c.1920 Public company incorporated.

1921 Moved from Millwall to Hammersmith

1932 Introduction of Adcoids, corrosion inhibitor

1933 Advert: Duckhams N.P.5 (Aero) oil was the only lubricating oil recommended by M. G. Car Co.

1937 Manufacturers of petroleum products. "Aero New Process" Oils.

1937 ' 'Adcoids To Prevent Motor Cylinder Wear Cylinder wear, with all its consequent troubles and expense, is one of motoring's bugbears. It means loss of efficiency and greater consumption of fuel and oil.
But it can to a large extent be overcome, as was shown at a series of demonstrations given in the garage at the Royal Star Hotel, Maidstone, this week by Mr. E. Maw, manager for Transport Oils and Adcoids, on behalf of Messrs. Alexander Duckham and Co., Ltd., the oil specialists.
For the demonstrations was used a car fitted with an ingenious scientific equipment which produced. as far as possible, in a visible manner the actual conditions obtaining inside the combustion chamber of a petrol engine.
Men interested in motor transport were invited to bring sample oils with them and by means of a special apparatus the resistance of various lubricants to the corrosive effect of exhaust gases was tested.
The apparatus of the test consisted of six sections cut from a cylinder block and soldered on to a brass tank through which hot or cold water could be passed at will. The cast-iron slips had been previously ground, polished, and chemically cleaned. Different oils of well-known brands. and one unknown, were then spread on the slips having been first mixed with the correct quantity of petrol, a bell-jar was fitted over the tank. and the exhaust from a running engine allowed to enter it.
Meanwhile the tank to which the sections were soldered was gradually warmed up and cooled artificially. being subsequently again heated and cooled.
The conditions produced under the bell jar were similar to those in an engine started from cold after it had stood all night. or being stopped and started on a cold day.
Considerable condensation took place and corrosion was seen on the various sections. Little imagination was required to appreciate how rapid wear results from this rusting-up.
Several of the applications had, however, been treated with Adcoids, an anti-corrosive element, and the object of the experiment was to show how the sections spread with oil containing this substance remained absolutely bright and free from oxide, while the other sections discoloured.
The demonstrations went a long way to show that Adcoids, when added to petrol in the form of tablets definitely prevent corrosion and cylinder wear to a larger degree than the other lubricants. '

1945 Death of Alexander Duckham who was succeeded by his son Jack

Early 1950s Introduction of the first multi-grade lubricating oil Q20-50.

1962 Legal action by neighbours in Fulham because of smell said to be arising from the plant but case dismissed with costs

1963 Motor Show exhibitor. Oils.

First to introduce a multi-grade engine oil, Q20-50.

1967 Was the largest independent lubricating oil company in the U.K and 3rd largest supplier of engine oil to motorists. To cope with substantial increase in demand for motor oil, were planning a new factory in the Midlands that would be paid for by issue of debentures and shares.

1967 Demand for lub oil had been affected by the increase time between services - up from 2000 miles in 1957 to 5000-6000 miles in 1967.

1968 New manufacturing plant opened at Aldridge, Staffs.

1969 BP acquired the company.

See Also

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• Duckham's Associated Products