Samples of dyes by ICI, c.1980

Made:
circa 1980 in Manchester
maker:
Imperial Chemical Industries PLC (Organics Division Blackley)

Samples of dyes in wooden presentation box by ICI, c.1980

For thousands of years, and in cultures all over the world, people have been using plant and animal products to colour textiles. Without dyes, we wouldn’t see the full spectrum of colours in our wardrobes and around our homes that we see today.

Manchester’s textiles industry needed quality dyes that were consistent and stable. During the 1800s, much research into natural dyes for use in the textile industry was carried out. Then, in London in the 1850s, William Perkin discovered the first successful artificial dye, the purple colour ‘Mauveine’. His discovery kick-started a new chemical industry producing brighter, cheaper and longer-lasting colouring products that changed the textile industry forever.

British Dyes Ltd merged with Levinstein Ltd and later with other companies to create Imperial Chemical Industries Limited (ICI). By the 1920’s ICI had become a global leader in dyes from their factory in Blackley, north Manchester.

The textile industry today continues to use chemicals that are harmful to the environment. Up to 20% of global water pollution is attributed to textile dyeing and treatment. Research in Universities and within the textile dye industry continues today to develop dyes that are non-toxic, biodegradable and durable, lessening their negative impact.

A sample of Magenta dye,

Dye Sample: Magenta

pre. 1970
Dye Sample

Dye Sample

1916
Dye sample of Manchester Brown, also known as 'Bismark Brown', a basic dye.

Dye Sample: Manchester Brown

Caledon Gold Original, a vat dye sample. Made by Scottish Dyes Limited, Grangemouth.

Dye Sample: Caledon Gold Original

circa 1939-1970s
A small bottle of Ammonium Purpurate.

Ammonium Purpurate

Coal tar, a dye sample made by ICI, c.1980. Housed together with a collection of other dye samples in a wooden display case, each sample is held in place with a metal clip.

Sample of dye; Coal tar

circa 1980
Toluene, a dye sample made by ICI, c.1980. Housed together with a collection of other dye samples in a wooden display case, each sample is held in place with a metal clip.

Sample of dye; Toluene

circa 1980
Benzene, a dye sample made by ICI, c.1980. Housed together with a collection of other dye samples in a wooden display case, each sample is held in place with a metal clip.

Sample of dye; Benzene

circa 1980
Naphthalene, a dye sample made by ICI, c.1980. Housed together with a collection of other dye samples in a wooden display case, each sample is held in place with a metal clip.

Sample of dye; Naphthalene

circa 1980
Anthracene, a dye sample made by ICI, c.1980. Housed together with a collection of other dye samples in a wooden display case, each sample is held in place with a metal clip.

Sample of dye; Anthracene

circa 1980
Ortho-nitrotoluene, a dye sample made by ICI, c.1980. Housed together with a collection of other dye samples in a wooden display case, each sample is held in place with a metal clip.

Sample of dye; Ortho-nitrotoluene

circa 1980
Naphthalene B sulphonic acid, a dye sample made by ICI, c.1980. Housed together with a collection of other dye samples in a wooden display case, each sample is held in place with a metal clip.

Sample of dye; Naphthalene B sulphonic acid

circa 1980
Phthalic anhydride, a dye sample made by ICI, c.1980. Housed together with a collection of other dye samples in a wooden display case, each sample is held in place with a metal clip.

Sample of dye; Phthalic anhydride

circa 1980
Anthraquinone, a dye sample made by ICI, c.1980. Housed together with a collection of other dye samples in a wooden display case, each sample is held in place with a metal clip.

Sample of dye; Anthraquinone

circa 1980
Ortho-toluidine, a dye sample made by ICI, c.1980. Housed together with a collection of other dye samples in a wooden display case, each sample is held in place with a metal clip.

Sample of dye; Ortho-toluidine

circa 1980
Aniline, a dye sample made by ICI, c.1980. Housed together with a collection of other dye samples in a wooden display case, each sample is held in place with a metal clip.

Sample of dye; Aniline

circa 1980
Benzathrone, a dye sample made by ICI, c.1980. Housed together with a collection of other dye samples in a wooden display case, each sample is held in place with a metal clip.

Sample of dye; Benzathrone

circa 1980
Anthraquinone B-sulphonic acid, a dye sample made by ICI, c.1980. Housed together with a collection of other dye samples in a wooden display case, each sample is held in place with a metal clip.

Sample of dye; Anthraquinone B-sulphonic acid

circa 1980
Phenylclycine, a dye sample made by ICI, c.1980. Housed together with a collection of other dye samples in a wooden display case, each sample is held in place with a metal clip.

Sample of dye; Phenylclycine

circa 1980
Sulphanilic acid, a dye sample made by ICI, c.1980. Housed together with a collection of other dye samples in a wooden display case, each sample is held in place with a metal clip.

Sample of dye; Sulphanilic acid

circa 1980
B. Naphthol, a dye sample made by ICI, c.1980. Housed together with a collection of other dye samples in a wooden display case, each sample is held in place with a metal clip.

Sample of dye; B. Naphthol

circa 1980
Phthalonitrile, a dye sample made by ICI, c.1980. Housed together with a collection of other dye samples in a wooden display case, each sample is held in place with a metal clip.

Sample of dye; Phthalonitrile

circa 1980
Dibenzanthrone, a dye sample made by ICI, c.1980. Housed together with a collection of other dye samples in a wooden display case, each sample is held in place with a metal clip.

Sample of dye; Dibenzanthrone

circa 1980
Magenta, a dye sample made by ICI, c.1980. Housed together with a collection of other dye samples in a wooden display case, each sample is held in place with a metal clip.

Sample of dye; Magenta

circa 1980
Indigo, a dye sample made by ICI, c.1980. Housed together with a collection of other dye samples in a wooden display case, each sample is held in place with a metal clip.

Sample of dye; Indigo

circa 1980

See more

Details

Category:
Textile Industry
Object Number:
Y2000.6
type:
dye samples

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