The
Lock
Factory//


Josiah Parkes were based on two sites in Willenhall. Since the 19th century the town had been the centre of lock making in Britain. Many famous companies originate here including Chubb. The area used to be referred to as “Humpshire” because of the posture developed by workers bent over anvils on their workbenches. There was still a small division of the company making highly crafted handmade locks and padlocks. But women workers assembling mass produced door furniture carried out the majority of the work. This work was, like much factory work, highly repetitive, boring, and unrewarding.

A factory joker, shearing department Josiah Parkes lock factory Willenhall (1976)
A lockmaker's anvil, Josiah Parles lock factory Willenhall (1976)
Assembling door furniture, Josiah Parkes lock factory, Willenhall (1976)
Barbara on her tea break at Josiah Parkes lock factory Willenhall (1976)
Barbara with a set of keys, Josiah Parkes lock factory, Willenhall (1976)
Birthday cards strung across the factory floor, Josiah Parkes lock factory, Willenhall (1976)
Bringing a note to the office window, Josiah Parkes lock factory Willenhall (1976)
Buffing machine operative, Josiah Parkes lock factory Willenhall (1976)
Flat cap on lock craftsman's bench, Josiah Parkes Willenhall (1976)
Getting paid, Josiah Parkes lock factory, Willenhall (1976)
Hand made protective apron, Josiah Parkes lock factory Willenhall (1976)
he factory floor at Josiah Parkes' locks (1976)
In the clocking in room, Josiah Parkes lock factory, Willenhall (1976)
Line managers discuss output figures, Josiah Parkes, Willenhall (1976)
Lock assembler with a miraculous beehive, Josiah Parkes, Willenhall (1976)
Lock assembler wreathed in smoke, Josiah Parkes lock factory Willenhall (1976)
Lock craftsman in repair workshop,Josiah Parkes Willenhall (1976)
Lock keys at Josiah Parkes factory Willenhall (1976)
Lunchtime in the machine shop, Josiah Parkes lock factory, Willenhall (1976)
Metal shearer, Josiah Parkes lock factory Willenhall (1976)
On the assemble line Josiah Parkes lock factory Willenhall (1976)
On the assembly line, Josiah Parkes lock factory Willenhall (1976)
Operating a welding machine , smoking, Josiah Parkes lock factory Willenhall (1976)
Operating a welding machine Josiah Parkes lock factory, Willenhall (1976)
Personal effects and union card at the workplace, woman lockworker, Josiah Parkes Willenhall (1976)
Personal effects at the workplace, woman lockworker, Josiah Parkes Willenhall (1976)
Personal effects at the workplace, woman lockworker, Josiah Parkes Willenhall (1976)
Portrait of the master craftsmen, Josiah Parkes repair workshop Willenhall (1976)
Protective ankle cuffs, assembly line Josiah Parkes lock factory Willenhall (1976)
Punch operators, Josiah Parkes lock factory Willenhall (1976)
Replacing supplies Josiah Parkes assembly line Willenhall (1976)
Sign by lockers, Josiah Parkes lock factory, Willenhall (1976)
Swarf collector, Josiah Parkes lock factory Willenhall (1976)
Teabreak in the lock workshop, Josiah Parkes, Willenhall (1976)
Trainee school leaver learning skills at Josiah Parkes lock factory Willenhall (1976)
Travel poster and girl in packing department, Josiah Parkes lock factory Willenhall (1976)
Union notice stuck on machine Josiah Parkes lock factory, Willenhall (1976)
Welder at Josiah Parkes lock factory, Willenhall (1976)
Welding machinist, Josiah Parkes lock factory Willenhall (1976)
Woman on the assembly line, Josiah Parkes lock factory Willenhall (1976)
Woman's hand on a welding machine, Josiah Parkes lock factory, Willenhall (1976)
Workbench in lock repair workshop, Josiah Parkes Willenhall (1976)
Workers leaving factory at the end of their shift, Josiah Parkes, Willenhall (1976)
Waiting for the bus at the end of the shift, Willenhall (1976)