Collection of research papers, photographs and publications relating to the work of Margaret Gilmour Schofield with the Calico Printers Association, including her PhD thesis from Edinburgh University, published research papers, internal memos relating to the patenting of Terylene and a publication "Polyester", 1939-1993.

Formed in 1899, the Calico Printers Association was a major player in the consolidation and development of the UK textile industry during the 20th century, and particularly from the period of the Second World War until its merger with English Sewing Cotton in 1968.

Margaret Schofield was one of two women in her subject area to graduate from Edinburgh University with a PhD in Chemistry in 1939. She was recruited by the CPA straight away and her initial work was to develop a highly resistant synthetic fibre. Her success, as documented in her published research, led to her joining Rex Whinfield and James Dickson’s team that was developing a fibre-forming polymer. The team’s research led to the development of a highly innovative synthetic polyester fibre that was patented under the name of Terylene. Margaret Schofield’s papers provide evidence of the employment of women and document at an earlier stage of the CPA’s research into synthetic fibres.

The work of Margaret Schofield as a research chemist with the Calico Printers Association supplements the material in YA1998.15 Coats Viyella Terylene Archive, which documents the research and development of Terylene, licensing from ICI, legal actions taken against patent infringement and legal action between the CPA and British Celanese Limited, including scientific reports, correspondence, patent records, legal documents and business papers.