Launch of Birmingham Manufacturers Project

A new project, which aims to increase awareness of the many industries that gave Birmingham its reputation as ‘City of a Thousand Trades’ was launched on 28th November at Soho House. Supported by Arts Council England's Designation Development Fund, The Birmingham Manufacturers Project, managed by Birmingham Museums Trust, will substantially increase the catalogue of objects held by Birmingham Museums Trust relating to trades and businesses in the city.  The project team, Research Assistant, Tessa Chynoweth and Documentation Assistant, Sophie Misson, will research, document and photograph approximately 3000 objects, including those from a number of significant Birmingham companies.   As well as businesses such as Austin Motors, Bird’s, Osler, Cadbury’s, Gaskin, GEC, Gillot, Elkington, Hardman and Kynoch, the enterprises of Boulton and Watt will be included in the project.  A searchable database will support detailed research across many disciplines from design history to industrial processes and manufacture.  It promises to be a valuable resource for research on James Watt, his partnership with Matthew Boulton and his business interests.  More information about the project can be found at http://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/blog/posts/introduction-to-birmingham-manufactures.