Lockable oak case for Bench micrometer, made by Joseph Whitworth and Co., 1883, Openshaw, Manchester.

This bench micrometer and case speaks of the decline in the British textile industry in the 1980s and the waning demand for textile machinery and its associated technology.

Micrometers are precision measuring instruments, used for very fine measurements. Manchester based Joseph Whitworth and Company were known for manufacturing high standard lathes and other machine tools, measurement and inspection tools and screw threading equipment.

It was originally owned by Harding Rhodes & Co, Leeds, who made steel pins for the textiles industry. Bradford steel pin company, Pinco, bought up all the assets from Harding Rhodes when it closed down in 1984.