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London Industrial

@londonindustrial.bsky.social

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London's Industrial Manufacturing Heritage by Mark Amies. Author & Contributor on BBC Radio London's Robert Elms Show. https://wordsbymarkamies.com/category/industry/ https://www.amberley-books.com/author-community-main-page/a/mark-amies.html

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London Industrial @londonindustrial.bsky.social · Aug 21

My two published books - London's Industrial Past and Flying Up The Edgware Road.

Available through the Amberley website and all good book selling platforms.

Mark Amies - A - Author Community - Amberley Publishing share.google/sHsoPUUQEJ7d...

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London Industrial @londonindustrial.bsky.social · 2h

Yesteryear my publisher informed me that my book proposal has been accepted. 🙂

It's been a long time sone my last book (three years this month), so it is about time.

London Industrial @londonindustrial.bsky.social · 3d

466 Alexandra Avenue is currently Ruby M's restaurant.

London Industrial @londonindustrial.bsky.social · 3d

By 1950 Baird had sold his business to Scophony, and production moved to Lancelot Road, Wembley.

London Industrial @londonindustrial.bsky.social · 3d

As this 1987 local newspaper cutting describes, it would appear the address at 466 was used for the manufacture of electronic components in World War Two. These items were intended for the Collossus computer.

London Industrial @londonindustrial.bsky.social · 3d

The factory was within the impressive 'moderne' style building designed by R.C. White Cooper and S.R Turner, and completed in 1937. It is now referred to as 'The Turrett'.

London Industrial @londonindustrial.bsky.social · 3d

Between 1946 and 1950, John Logie Baird produced around 600 television receivers from a small factory at 466 Alexandra Avenue, Rayners Lane.

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London Industrial @londonindustrial.bsky.social · 4d

In 1978, the photographer Chalkie Davies took a set of photos of Costello outside the Hoover building.

There's more info on Chalkie's site

Elvis Costello - Hoover Factory — Chalkie Davies share.google/x9Kq8KWEltEJ...

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London Industrial @londonindustrial.bsky.social · 4d

Here's the less distorted version

youtu.be/grLvWTBf9Rs?...

Hoover Factory

YouTube video by Elvis Costello - Topic

youtu.be

London Industrial @londonindustrial.bsky.social · 4d

Elvis Costello performing 'The Hoover Factory' on Multicoloured Swap Shop, December 1980.

youtu.be/8jxx7FsLadU?...

Elvis Costello: Hoover Factory

YouTube video by witstupe

youtu.be

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London Industrial @londonindustrial.bsky.social · 5d

Where you can find out more about London's manufacturing history.

wordsbymarkamies.com/2025/09/02/l...

London’s Manufacturing Heritage – Museums to Visit.

Given the rich history London has with regard to manufacturing industry , it is very poorly served by museums that cater for it. Local borough museums, ( when you can find one, Newham and Barnet be…

wordsbymarkamies.com

London Industrial @londonindustrial.bsky.social · 5d

A Macfarlane Lang display case spotted in a Hastings antique shop yesterday.

Reposted by London Industrial

Modernism in Metro-Land @modinmetro.bsky.social · 9d

Only two weeks after the death of Nicholas Grimshaw, his former partner, Terry Farrell has passed away. Although much more of a post modernist, Farrell produced a couple of striking ventilation towers for Blackwall tunnel with the GLC

modernist-london.weebly.com/ventilation-...

A colour photograph of two concrete ventelation towers for Blackwall tunnel

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Reposted by London Industrial

Old UK Print Ads @oldukprintads.bsky.social · 13d

Sep 1959: 17" Portable TV ad from Ultra

(+21" Transportable; 21" Table Model; 17" Table Model; and Indoor Aerial)

«Only you can choose... imagine YOU
with the beautiful extra-slim
ULTRA 17"
PORTABLE»

This vintage advertisement features a slim portable TV set that is easy to move around. The advert highlights the product's wide-angle tube and attractive price, and it also mentions an even bigger model, a 21" transportable TV.

Only you can choose... imagine YOU
with the beautiful extra-slim
ULTRA 17"
PORTABLE

The slimmest-ever 17" Portable TV
PLUS the 110° wide-angle tube PLUS the clearest picture
AT the most astonishing, attractive price - 60gns.
This wonderfully compact, beautifully proportioned
17" Portable has all the features that make Ultra
TV sets the finest in the world today. Its superb
appearance, reliability and performance combine to
give you the height of TV enjoyment.
Amazingly light. The stylish cabinet is easy to
handle... move it from room to room. And when you
have guests it's easier to move the set than shift the
furniture about.
Choose your colour. Have the pleasure of a set
that fits in with your home's decor. Choose the Ultra
17" Portable in either two-tone grey or in attractive
two-tone beige. If you prefer a polished finish-see the
Ultra 17" Table Model.
Indoor aerial 1 gn.
Send me Illustrated
brochure of Ultra
range of TV,
Radio and Stereo.
SPI
Ultra Ltd., Stonefield Way, S. Ruislip, Mddx.
SELECT THE RIGHT SET FOR YOUR HOME
This sensational first-ever
21" Transportable,
slimmest 21" set ever,
is for those who want big,
dramatic viewing. If you
prefer a Table Set-
see the Ultra 21" Table Model.
Ultra 21" Transportable-74gns

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London Industrial @londonindustrial.bsky.social · 13d

Well done to Robert Elms on getting the Freedom of the City of London today!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

What does it mean to get the Freedom of the City of London?

BBC presenter Robert Elms is the latest person to be given the honour but what actually is it?

www.bbc.co.uk

London Industrial @londonindustrial.bsky.social · 14d

I've recently submitted my proposal for a third book to a publisher.

Fingers crossed.

London Industrial @londonindustrial.bsky.social · 17d

Greater London House to see refurbishment following approval | Ham & High www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/2545392...

Plans approved for Art Deco building to get roof terrace and improved entrance

Greater London House in Camden, the former Black Cat factory, is set for a major refurbishment with a rooftop terrace and larger entrance.

www.hamhigh.co.uk

London Industrial @londonindustrial.bsky.social · 19d

Torrington Place, Bloomsbury.

London Industrial @londonindustrial.bsky.social · 22d

Made in Bermondsey.

Old UK Print Ads @oldukprintads.bsky.social · 22d

Sep 1935: Vita-Weat Crispbread ad from Peek Frean's

(+Gown by Maison Svelte and Jewels by Lumière)

«Vita-Weat
The British Whole-wheat Crispbread»

This is a black and white advertisement for Vita-Weat crispbreads. A slender woman in a formal gown, adorned with jewels, appears healthy due to the crispbread. A man in a suit stands in the background, partially hidden by a curtain. A flower vase sits in the foreground.

Vita-Weat
The British Whole-wheat Crispbread

The woman who makes Vita-Weat her daily bread is the
woman who is determined to keep her slimness of figure
and at the same time acquire new health and new energy.
In this whole-wheat crispbread made by Peek Frean
there is all the goodness of the golden grain, with all its
precious vitamins; but it contains no unconverted starch
to clog the system and form unwanted fat. So make
Vita-Weat your daily bread, and rejoice in the new sense
of buoyancy and youth that it brings.
MADE BY PEEK FREAN - MAKERS OF FAMOUS BISCUIT

London Industrial @londonindustrial.bsky.social · 24d

I spoke to Robert Elms onBBC Radio London about the manufacturing history of Tottenham Hale.
You can listen in here at 1 hour and 9 mins. (Available for 28 days)
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

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London Industrial @londonindustrial.bsky.social · 25d

Just a note to say that I will be on BBC Radio London this morning just after 11am, talking to Robert Elms about a particular part of North London with a heavy concentration of industrial history.