The British Motor Industry and Semiconductors

Exploring the story of the motor industry since WW2, its forthcoming demise was never far from the conversation. Equally, digging into the history of semiconductor manufacturers, the possibility of the UK not being relatively self sufficient is an ever present agony.

In the sixties, the Ryder report had this to say: '‘vehicle production is the kind of industry which ought to remain an essential part of the UK's economic base. We believe, therefore, that BL should remain a major vehicle producer, although this means that urgent action must be taken to remedy the weaknesses which at present prevent it from competing effectively in world markets.’ The subsequent story is a catalogue of errors. 

In the seventies, the British government backed the formation of Inmos to manufacture semiconductors. It had already tried but failed to encourage collaboration amongst British manufacturers. Inmos failed but was bailed out by Thorn EMI which was in effect destroyed by the liabilities which Inmos brought with it. Semiconductors are now everywhere. The image is of sim cards being sold at the refugee camp on Lesvos where we volunteered in early 2016. There is a helpful review of the British semiconductor industry in Electronics Weekly from 2010.

The British motor industry is currently successful and a major employer. Concerns over semiconductor supply and the absence of a battery manufacturer could spell its end. So, what is the answer?

The motor industry is based here but owned elsewhere. Semiconductor manufacture could follow suit. Companies like ARM do the intellectual work that goes inside the chip, but the mechanics of placing that on a chip of silicone is done in Taiwan. This is right viewed as too risky a supply chain. Britain has not the financial resource to go it alone. The USA is politically too risky to be a partner. The answer surely is European collaboration. 

But have we burnt that boat?

The joys of research

 One of the joys of researching in a conventional library is the unexpected. Today in Leicester University Library I came across A History of North Thames Gas - Mr Therm for those of us of a certain age. The book, and company, go back to its formation in 1810, through the massive switch over from town to natural gas and on until British Gas privatisation.

There is more. The production of town gas from coal is echoed in the story of steel production and organic chemicals, with the capture and use of byproducts. 

Many of us will remember gas showrooms on the High Street with appliances manufactured in North Thames factories. The same was true of gas meters, with millions of pennies collected each week. 

North Thames was also an early user of ICL computers. The book was candid about the inefficiency of billing administration a lack of planning of the computer installation. A telling comment was the switch over to IBM in the late 80s. 

A review from a second year degree student

This review is by Coffee and Books and makes everything worthwhile.

I wanted to read How Britain Shaped the Manufacturing World by Philip Hamlyn Williams because I studied economic history last year and I liked the subject a lot. On top of that the author’s great grandfather exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851. That made the book too enticing to miss and I’m glad I didn’t because it’s great.

The book covers the period from 1850 to 1950, the last chapter being on the Festival of Britain of 1951. It’s a wonderfully circular structure, to start with the Great Exhibition and finish with the Festival of Britain. With wars, including both world wars, and disruption to supply chains, advances in technology, changes in manufacturing, this book had to cover a lot of information and it does it beautifully. It’s easy to read, explained clearly and engaging.

Many topics are covered, from steam power which was still in its infancy in the 1850s to the Mallard of the 1930s, covered developments in communication, the sewing machine, bicycles, cars and aeroplanes. He covers the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, which were interesting to read about. Germany had a leading role when it came to dyestuff, but the war changed that, of course.

This is a very good book, one I would recommend to anyone, without any doubt