Sir William Burnett's Patent Office was located at 53 King William Street, London Bridge. The company presumably had some connection with Sir William Burnett (1779–1861) a naval physician. Burnett patented a solution of zinc chloride for use as a preservative and disinfectant. This was used on impregnated wood, Burnett sought markets in the shipbuilding industry and in thee railway industry for use on rail sleepers.