Identity area
Reference code
AR874
Title
Date(s)
- 30 June 2003 (Creation)
- 1930s - 1950s (Creation)
Level of description
Collection
Extent and medium
6 items
Context area
Name of creator
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
6 items
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
1) Photographs: Visco factory, machinery, products, staff dinners, aerial views, flying bomb damage (17 June 1944), visit of Duke of Edinburgh (1981), etc.
2) Invitations and menus for staff dinners, 1950s.
3) Sales particular for factory site (one property marked as VISCO.)
4) Folder of material on functional drawing and functional drafting
5) Correspondence file 1932 - 1933
6) Register of filters 1932 - 1933
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
A Firms File is available in the Local History Collection, containing:
- Stafford Road Aerofilms Postcard, on reverse 'Keep Visco in mind for Air filters, water and oil coolers, dust recovery plant, air conditioning equipment'
- Bomb photograph, June 1944
- Croydon Times photograph of reception, 21 October 1959
- Croydon Times photograph of staff, 18 December 1952
- Advertisement, 1949
- Advertisers' Editorials
- Croydon Advertiser newspaper article, 12 August 1960
- Croydon Advertiser newspaper article, 28 August 1953
- Advert, 1951
- Croydon Advertiser newspaper article 28 November 1986
Key information from articles:
Firm founded in 1921 to develop the VISCO Air Filter, the name came from the viscous oil used.
First all metal filter using oil film covered surfaces on English market.
1932 patent self-cleaning air filter.
Design and construction of water cooling towers in 1924.
Dust collecting plant in 1928.
Manufacturing of industrial vacuum cleaners.
Photograph of football team 1942-43 with names.
Company engaged in the war-effort, factory on Stafford Road hit by a V1 in June 1944.
Silver jubilee dinner at Greyhound Restaurant on Friday 27 September 1946.
New building 1950.
Photograph of annual staff dinner, 17 April 1953 at the Greyhound, Croydon.
Founder of firm in 1921, F. Curt Smith, retired in 1957.
His son, Fred C. Smith, took over as Managing Director.
Miss O. Wallace was the drawing office assistant.
Mr G. Loosemore was the Deputy Chief Draughtsman.
James Townsend and Albert Broughton are other names that are mentioned.
Company closed in 2003.