Damping Collection

19th-century coal mining. Historical artwork of a coal mine worker igniting methane gas in a coal mine. This gas (also called fire-damp) is formed naturally by coal

A damping machine, linen production, Victorian period

Linen manufacture, Damping machine

Punch cartoon: Victorian water cart on a London street (engraving)
6034715 Punch cartoon: Victorian water cart on a London street (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Punch cartoon: Victorian water cart on a London street)

Illustrated Journalism: Machinery for printing the Illustrated London News (engraving)
583988 Illustrated Journalism: Machinery for printing the Illustrated London News (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Illustrated Journalism)

Figures pulling a barrel on a trolley in the Tuileries Gardens
1163179 Figures pulling a barrel on a trolley in the Tuileries Gardens, 1760 (etching) (pair to 1163178) by Saint-Aubin, Gabriel de (1724-80); 9.9x19.5 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

Blitz in London -- Oxford Street after an air raid, WW2
Blitz in London -- the aftermath of a nights bombing on Central London and the West End, 18 September 1940. The John Lewis department store (left) was destroyed

Blitz in London -- Cobbs Corner, Sydenham, WW2
Blitz in London -- firefighters damping down the remains of shops and dwellings in the aftermath of an incendiary bomb attack at Cobbs Corner, Sydenham, SE London

Blitz in London -- Chiesmans, Lewisham High Street, WW2
Blitz in London -- a firefighter, wearing an oilskin coat, damping down the aftermath of an incendiary bomb attack on Chiesmans depository in Lewisham High Street, SE13

LCC-LFB Major building fire in Cannon Street EC4
The gutted remains of a corner building affected by this serious fire in Cannon Street, London EC4. The building is blackened by the intensity of the heat and smoke

Blitz in London - Firefighters at work with hosepipe, WW2
Blitz in London - London firefighters damping down after enemy bombing caused serious fires which gutted this steel framed building

Blitz in London -- aftermath of bombing, Cheapside, WW2
Blitz in London -- the aftermath of a bombing raid on the City of London, with St Pauls Cathedral in the background. A fire brigade trailer pump at work near Cheapside EC4 with firefighters damping

Linen Bleaching, Damping and Blueing - an interior view in the spinning mill of a man and woman operating a machine for the further bleaching of linen. (Location: Ireland). Date: circa early 1900s

British fire-fighters damping down smouldering roof timbers of a church hit by German bombs: June 1940. World War II

LCC-LFB Major church fire, Lower Sloane Street, SW1
Turntable ladders from Lambeth fire station (D61) assisting in the damping down following a fire that gutted a church building in Lower Sloane Street and destroyed it contents

LCC-LFB Aftermath of a church fire, Avenue Road NW3
The roof of a church which has been seriously damaged by a fire, with crews starting to cut away and damp down

LCC-LFB aftermath of a fire, Vauxhall Bridge Road
Fire crews damping down following a major blaze in Vauxhall Bridge Road, Pimlico, involving a large single storey corrugated storage facility

LCC-LFB fire in commercial van, Putney SW15
A fire crew damping down after dealing with a commercial van fire on the roadway in Putney SW15

LCC-LFB fire in Kensington High Street, London W8
The aftermath of a roof and top floor fire in apartments at 1 Kensington High Street. A fire engine (pump) is set into a hydrant

Aftermath of a factory fire, Fire Force Area 34, WW2
National Fire Service firefighters from the former Middlesex Fire Brigade (integrated into the London Region), damping down following a serious fire at the Old Jam Factory in Sipson Road

Aftermath of a fire, Fire Force Area 34, WW2
National Fire Service firefighters from the former Middlesex Fire Brigade (integrated into the London Region), damping down and turning over following a serious fire in a depot in Douglas Road

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"Damping: A Historical Journey Through Industrial Processes and Disasters" In the 19th century, coal mining was a crucial industry that powered the Victorian period. Miners toiled underground, extracting this valuable resource that fueled the nation's progress. However, amidst their laborious efforts, they faced numerous challenges including excessive dust and heat. To combat these issues, a revolutionary invention emerged - the damping machine. This ingenious contraption played a vital role in linen production by dampening fabric before it underwent further processing. As depicted in Punch cartoons of the era, Victorian water carts roamed London streets to supply water for this purpose. The advancements in machinery were not limited to linen manufacture alone; illustrated journalism also benefited from cutting-edge technology during this time. Engravings showcased intricate printing machines used for publications like the Illustrated London News. Beyond industrial settings, figures pulling barrels on trolleys through Tuileries Gardens demonstrated how damping was incorporated into various aspects of daily life. Linen bleaching processes involved both damping and blueing techniques to achieve desired results. However, history took a dark turn with World War II when London experienced devastating air raids known as Blitzes. Oxford Street and Cobbs Corner in Sydenham fell victim to destruction but rose again thanks to resilience and rebuilding efforts captured by photographers documenting these tragic events. Firefighters became heroes during those challenging times as they battled infernos caused by bombings across the cityscape. Their bravery shone through at Mitre Wharf on Scrubs Lane (NW10), where they fought tirelessly against raging flames engulfing buildings. From its humble beginnings in coal mines to its integration into various industries and even wartime struggles, it has left an indelible mark throughout history. Whether aiding linen production or combating disasters like fires or war-induced chaos, this process continues to evolve alongside human ingenuity – reminding us of our ability to adapt and overcome adversity while shaping our world's future.