Asbestos Collection

Mixing treated asbestos fibre, Heath Robinson machine
Efficient plant for the successful mixing of treated asbestos fibre with cement. A drawing done by William Heath Robinson for Turners Asbestos Cement Co

Patent double action grinder for asbestos by Heath Robinson
A patent double-action grinder for mashing asbestos fibre - a drawing done for Turners Asbestos Cement Co by William Heath Robinson, renowned for his machines and convoluted contraptions. Date: c.1925

Crysotile asbestos
Scanning electron micrograph of 5-Fold symmetry in crysotile asbestos. Magnification on the 5 x4 transparency = X 600, 000

The Asbestos Mines at Pano Amiantos, Cyprus
Pano Amiantos a village in the Limassol District of Greek Cyprus, located 7 km southwest of Kyperounta. Formerly the village was the site of a large asbestos mine

Tremolite asbestos from France
Tremolite (calcium magnesium silicate hydroxide) is a mineral from the Amphibole group, it is commonly used for industrial purposes

Oxy-acetylene welding
MODEL RELEASED. Oxy-acetylene welding. Worker in heavy heat-resistant protective clothing holding oxy-acetylene welding equipment

False col. SEM of crocidolite fibres
False-colour scanning electron micrograph of fibres of blue asbestos, or crocidolite. All asbestos varieties are silicates (amphibole minerals), the most common being crocidolite

An engraving depicting the United Asbestos Co's Harefield Mills, near London, 19th century
5310729 An engraving depicting the United Asbestos Co's Harefield Mills, near London, 19th century; (add.info.: Date: 1887); Universal History Archive/UIG.

The Hours, 1918. Creator: Richard Roland Holst
The Hours, 1918

The Architect, 1919. Creator: Richard Roland Holst
The Architect, 1919

Night, 1915. Creator: Richard Roland Holst
Night, 1915

Recollection, 1913. Creator: Richard Roland Holst
Recollection, 1913

Eternit Asbestos-Cement Roofing Material Factory, Barranquilla, c1940s. From Barranquilla. [Raul de la Espriella B. Barranquilla]

Canada, Quebec, Estrie Region, Asbestos, Jeffrey Mine, worlds largest open pit asbestos mine, autumn

Turner's Asbestos Cement Advertisement
A humorous advertisement illustration for Turner's Asbestos Cement Co. showing a quarry scene both above and below ground

Elo Asbestos Panels Advertisement
An advertisement for Elo Asbestos Panels Ltd. the photographs showcase an entrance hall and stairway that have been given the Elo treatment, with fireproof, damp and rotproof panelling

Spreading asbestos mixture on boiler of a locomotive, C & NW RR, 40th Street locomotive shops, 1942
Spreading asbestos mixture on boiler of a locomotive at the C & NW RR [i.e. Chicago and North Western railroad], 40th Street locomotive shops

Advertisement for H W Johns asbestos liquid paints (colour litho)
6032719 Advertisement for H W Johns asbestos liquid paints (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Advert, James Wotherspoon & Sons, Glasgow, Scotland
Advert for James Wotherspoon & Sons, Asbestos, Rubber and Canvas Hose Manufacturers, Glasgow, Scotland. 1905

Advert for H. W Johns, asbestos materials for roofing 1875
Company based in New York, advertising asbestos roofing, used in roof coating, cement, paint, boiling felt and steam packing. 1875

Asbestos and its Manufactures (engraving)
2791443 Asbestos and its Manufactures (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Asbestos and its Manufactures)

Some futher causes of home accidents (litho)
5995587 Some futher causes of home accidents (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Some futher causes of home accidents)

Pensioner Pat McCrystal left court £50, 000 richer yesterday
Pensioner Pat McCrystal left court £ 50, 000 richer yesterday, but with just weeks to live. It was a bitter victory over his old bosses for the former Clyde shipyard worker

In the bombing aftermath of World War II, the debris is cleared away by men in asbestos suits and now the men with the plungers can get to work. Date: 1939-1945

Firefighter putting on his asbestos suit in England during the air raids of World War II Date: 1939-1945

Minerals and crystals including kyanite, asbestos and andalusite.. Chromolithograph from Dr. Adolph Kenngotts Mineralogy section in Gotthilf Heinrich von Schuberts Natural History, Schreiber, Munich

Asbestosis, X-ray C017 / 7143
Asbestosis. X-ray of the chest of a 78 year old male that has been exposed to asbestos, showing diffuse plaques (light grey areas) in the lungs (dark)

Recollection Reminder Allegorical representation
Recollection, Reminder. Allegorical representation with a standing woman with a flower in the right hand. In the background a stylized tree

Hours female figure floating horizontally right
The Hours, A female figure floating horizontally to the right with a bowl in the hands extended, the 24 hours of day and night, Richard Nicolaus Roland Holst, Netherlands, 1918, asbestos-cement

American protective asbestos suit, WW2
A protective asbestos suit used by the American Army, Air Force and Fire Service (front view), 8 September 1944. Date: 1944

LCC London Fire Brigade asbestos protective suit
Carried on emergency tenders (ETs) an asbestos suit allowed a firefighter to approach a serious fire at close quarters for the purpose of closing down a control valve or a similar task

Advert for Arden Hills & Co new patent gas fires 1888
Patent asbestos gas fires by Arden Hill s, tiled hearth and brass rail, pattern, no sheet-iron parts, large fire front, hook at back, new burner, fall-down trivet

Asbestos logo from Asbestos company letterhead
Asbestos logo from the letterhead of Asbestos Cement Building Products Ltd, Asbestos House, Southwark Street, London SE1. 1920

Letterhead, Asbestos Cement Building Products Ltd, Asbestos House, Southwark Street, London SE1. 1920

Advert for Arden Hills & Co gas fires 1884
Asbestos gas fires by Arden Hills with ornamental surround. Date: 1884

Trade catalogue for irons 1911
Trade catalogue for Harrords department store, showing a selection of irons. Date: 1911

CHICAGO: RAILROAD, 1942. A worker spreading asbestos on the boiler of a locomotive at the 40th Street shop of the Chicago and North Western Railway in Chicago, Illinois

MANVILLE IRON WORKS, 1936. View of the Manville Iron Works and railroad, Manville, New Jersey. Photograph by Carl Mydans, February 1936

AD: ASBESTOCEL, 1927. American advertisement for Asbestocel Pipe Coverings, 1927

AD: ASBESTOS, 1883. American magazine advertisement for H. W. Johns asbestos, 1883
AD: ASBESTOS, 1883. American magazine advertisement for H.W. Johns asbestos, 1883

Asbestos Dump
10th May 1976: A sign reading Danger No Admittance at a Kent asbestos dump at Rainham. (Photo by John Mitchell/Evening Standard/Getty Images)

Asbestos Mines
19th October 1946: Asbestos mines at Amiandos in the Troodos mountains in Cyprus. Original Publication: Picture Post - 4202 - Cyprus A Challenge To British Rule - pub

Installing Fireproof slabs on the roof of Chelsea Town Hall
Installing Mack Fireproof slabs on iron purlins on the roof of Chelsea New Town Hall, London. Date: 1907

Picture No. 11050168
Serpentine Asbestos Chrysotile variety (Mg3Si2O5(OH)4) Thetford Mines, Quebec, Canada Date:

North America, Canada, Quebec, Centre-du-Quebec, Asbestos. Asbestos mine

Warning, Fragile roof sign on farm building, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, England, March

Asbestos warning sign

Asbestos protection
MODEL RELEASED. Asbestos protection. Worker wearing protective clothing, a face mask and safety goggles

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Asbestos, a once widely used material, has left an indelible mark on various aspects of our history. From the mixing of treated asbestos fibers using a Heath Robinson machine to the invention of a patent double action grinder for asbestos by Heath Robinson himself, its presence was undeniable. Different types were discovered and utilized across the globe. Crysotile asbestos, found in abundance, became popular due to its heat-resistant properties. Tremolite asbestos from France also made its way into numerous industries. The Asbestos Mines at Pano Amiantos in Cyprus served as a significant source for this mineral during its peak usage. The extraction process involved meticulous labor and advanced machinery. Oxy-acetylene welding techniques often employed asbestos materials due to their ability to withstand high temperatures and provide insulation against heat transfer. However, with time came awareness about the health hazards associated with exposure to these fibrous minerals. A false-colored scanning electron microscope image revealed crocidolite fibers - one type of deadly blue asbestos - magnifying concerns surrounding safety precautions. Promotional advertisements played their part in promoting products containing or utilizing asbestos. Turner's Asbestos Cement Advertisement showcased the durability and versatility of their cement products infused with this mineral. Elo Asbestos Panels Advertisement emphasized fire resistance as a key selling point. Eternit Asbestos-Cement Roofing Material Factory stood tall in Barranquilla during the 1940s, producing roofing materials that incorporated this controversial substance into their composition. Beyond its industrial applications, minerals like kyanite coexisted alongside asbestos crystals within geological formations worldwide – showcasing nature's diverse offerings while reminding us of potential dangers lurking beneath Earth's surface. During World War II, protective suits made from American-produced asbestos provided defense against hazardous conditions faced by soldiers on various fronts – highlighting both innovation and risks associated with wartime technologies. While we now understand the detrimental effects caused by prolonged exposure to airborne particles released from disturbed asbestos, it is crucial to reflect on its historical significance and the lessons learned.