The Industry & Railways of the South West Black Country STOURBRIDGE INDUSTRY   CRYSTALLINE COMPANY LIMITED, Patentees and Manufacturers of Crystalline Tiles and the famous Verre sur Verre. Some years ago the world of glass and tiles were startled by two inventions, each of which was looked upon at the time as having created new phase in its particular industry. A company was formed to acquire the patent rights of the inventions and to work them commercially. The success which has attended this work has been so enormous that a description of the genesis will prove of particular interest to our readers. The first of these inventions, the manufacture of an improved tile, which is now known all the world over as the Crystalline Tile, was made by Professor William Thomson, F.R.S. (Edinburgh), F.I.C., who, in scientific and commercial circles, is known as the consulting and analytic chemist of the Royal Institution Laboratory, Manchester. At the time when Professor Thomson made his discovery tiles were mainly earthenware. But there were many reasons which prevented a more general adoption of such tiles. In the first place, the better qualities of these were exceedingly dear; their great weight and bulk made them ungainly to handle; it was difficult to use them for covering irregular surfaces; and for the adornment of ceilings or the lighter forms of decorative work they were almost entirely unsuitable. The Crystalline tile when submitted to experts proved that it effectively overcame all the difficulties adherent to earthenware tiles. Made from vitreous materials, combined with about 50% of Kaolin or china clay, this combination makes a very hard and almost indestructible tile; the Crystalline tiles are light in weight, easily fixed to any regular, irregular or broken surface, and retain their brilliancy without "crazing," which is the common fault of all earthenware tiles. "Crazing" is the cracking of the surface, which forms an unsightly network of minute crevices. This becomes even more objectionable by the accumulation in them of dust and dirt, which would tend to gather bacteria or dangerous germs in hospitals and other buildings. The Crystalline tile cannot "craze" and can be fixed at a cost of 25% less than glazed bricks or earthenware tiles. The chief characteristic of the Crystalline tiles is that they have a patent granulated "grip" or "key" at the back, which enables them to adhere perfectly and permanently to the cement in which they are fixed. As distinguished from earthenware tiles, they can be manufactured in any kind of curves, angles, and mouldings desired, and which is impossible to do with the old-fashioned earthenware variety, can be done with the greatest ease with the Crystalline tile. Seeing their enormous superiority as regards lightness, brilliancy, and easy mode of fixing, it is no wonder that when they were put on the market they took the world by storm. Here at last was the ideal tile, and every architect who had heard of them would have them. In rapid succession orders came for them from banks, railway stations, hotels and hospitals, and every kind of public building. But valuable as this invention was, its value was further enhanced by the invention of Verre sur Verre. Mr. C. Herbert Thompson, who is now the managing director of the Crystalline Company, Limited, had been for many years been endeavouring to produce the wonderful colour effects in which past centuries were such masters. Being a chemist of no mean attainments, and studied ceramic art and ceramic chemistry at home and abroad under some of its greatest exponents, he succeeded after many years of unceasing experiments in perfecting an invention which was immediately hailed as one of the greatest importance for our national glass industry. The method of effecting the wonderful results is indicated by the name of the invention, Verre sur Verre. The process itself is a deep secret, and is carefully protected by many patents. But whereas formally glass manufacturers were restricted to four colours, Mr. C. Herbert Thompson is capable of producing by his invention no less than thirty-six different colours in one piece. His invention was immediately acquired by the Crystalline Company, and the further development of decorating the Crystalline tile by the Verre sur Verre process was the natural consequence. As a result the Crystalline Company now produces tiles which, by their great beauty, and the other advantages which we have already mentioned, have created an undisputed monopoly for themselves. It is true there has been no lack of sincere flatters who have endeavoured to imitate them, but none of the many infringers of the Companies patents have been able to even approximately attain the results which the Crystalline Company can produce. The manufacture of Mr. C. Herbert Thompson's enamels for china, earthenware and, glass decoration, coloured glazes for pottery and enamels and oxides for the enamelling and decoration of gold, silver, copper, and iron, is also carried on at their works, and in very important quantities. Among the decorations we noticed specially the relief enamel work, which is perfect in execution and design. The patent Hispano-mooresque lustre tiles are also exceedingly good, and every shade of lustre and iridescences seen on the old Italian lustres is here produced with absolute fidelity. For their production the company have a fully equipped laboratory, testing rooms, and the finest regenerative gas furnaces in existence. Most of the furnaces are heated with producer gas, and are built after the most approved plans of the Continental furnace builders. Another invention by Mr. C. Herbert Thompson is his crystalline cement. One of the greatest disadvantages in opel tile fixing is, or was, is that the ordinary cement such as Portland, Keens, Parian and others having varying co-efficients of expansion, cause the tiles to bulge and crack. Mr. Thomson having costly and extensive experiments, discovered at last a cement which expands and contracts at the same ratio as the tiles. The result is perfect work. Mr. C. H. Thompson, who has been the managing director of the Crystalline Company for some years, was brought up in the trade, applying himself chiefly to laboratory work. He has been many times abroad, and studied thoroughly the foreign glass industry. The result of his study and of many years of experimenting we have seen in the foregoing sketch. However gratifying may be the material results, as an inventor Mr. Thompson occupies a foremost place and his discoveries, especially the Verre sur Verre, will be come to be recognised to be one of the most important in this industry. For the information of our readers at home and abroad we might say that the company have large and important show rooms at 124 St. Vincents Street, Glasgow, and at 65 Ridge Street, Manchester. They have also representatives in Belgium, Germany, Spain and South Africa. Note the background tile motif is not know to be connected with the Crystalline Company. © Tom Cockeram 1998