Credit: ©The Royal Society
    Image number: RS.20952

    Lightfoot’s process

    Date
    1874
    Creator
    Unknown, Artist
    After
    William Crookes (1832 - 1919, British) , Knight Chemist, Chemist
    Library reference
    34611
    Material
    Technique
    Dimensions
    height (page): 210mm
    width (page): 130mm
    Subject
    Description
    Patterned calico plates demonstrating ‘Lightfoot’s’ style of dyeing.

    Written of Lightfoot’s style: ‘The following method of applying indigo, simultaneously with mordants for madder and garancin, producing thus a variety of novel and striking effects, was invented and patented by Mr. J. [John] Lightfoot (Specification No. 3668, Sec. 26, 1867). The patentee prepares a pulp of indigotin and tin by any of the following methods […]’

    Plates on page 592 of William Crookes’ A practical handbook of dyeing and calico-printing (London, 1874), which provided information about the chemistry and process of dyeing, specifically calico-dyeing.

    Sir William Crookes (1832-1919), Knight chemist, was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1863 and served as its President between 1913-1915.
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