William Strutt’s Fireproofing Earthenware Pot

At first glance, this ordinary pot looks a bit like a flowerpot. Nothing particularly exciting – you might walk past it and never think of it again. But, have we got news for you? This pot is actually quite extraordinary.

Let us introduce you to William Strutt, whose father’s cotton mill, the Belper North Mill, was gutted by fire. Imagine his sadness at witnessing his father’s hard work destroyed and the workers losing their livelihoods. He knew of a brand-new technology being developed in France that was being used in theatres and market halls there but, due to the French Revolution, he could not get much help in learning more. This did not stop him. Using what knowledge he had, he used his brickmaking factories to create this pot and countless others like it, to act as fire-resistant, hollow bricks in large archways, while he used steel and brick elsewhere, negating the use of timber which was common in mills at that time.

He was one of a group of great thinkers and creators who revolutionised fire-proofing in our places of work and homes. This little pot stands testament to a son’s desire to make things better.

An amazing object to adopt for anyone who is connected to fire and rescue, builders, or even insurance!