A production worker checks sheets of Perspex on the line, ICI Wilton, 1955

A production worker checks sheets of Perspex on the line, ICI Wilton, 1955. Launched in 1934 Perspex soon became a popular alternative to glass and found a variety of applications. The vast plants at Billingham and Wilton on Tees-side employed 30,000 people and were showcases of the new industrial Britain. ICI opened its huge chemical complex at Wilton on Tees-side in 1952 after four years work. In addition to Perspex, Wilton included a 4000 ton nylon polymer unit as well as Hydrogen and ammonia. Later Wilton became the main plant for Terylene production. Photograph by Walter Nurnberg (1907-1991) who transformed industrial photography after WWII by using film studio lighting techniques. Photographie ©SSPL/NMeM/Walter Nurnberg