1-156-122 - Oxford Science Archive/Heritage Images

Interior, Thomas Firth & Sons Norfolk Works, Sheffield, c1890. Twelve men, each with a work station facing a window, hand-cutting files from blanks of crucible steel. On the outside of the building were louvred shutters to regulate the natural light. The company was founded c1840 by Mark Firth and his father Thomas; they were joined by his brother Thomas Firth junior in 1842. In 1852 they moved to the Norfolk Works and expanded to become leading iron and steel producers, supplying guns and large forged steel items such as crankshafts for steam engines for ocean liners.