A Bendigo Advertiser newspaper article titled 'The Bendigo Fuse Factory by Amy Huxtable.' In 1860 Mr. Charles Perry set up as Proprietor of stamper grating works and was later joined by his nephew Mr. W. Hunter. During this time Mr. Perry worked on a model machine for constructing safer fuses. In 1876 Mr. Charles Perry built a fuse factory in Wattle Street. He refined his machines making them larger and very suitable for building safer fuses. In 1888 the English firm of fuse manufacturers Bickford, Smith & Co., purchased the factory and the secret of the manufacture. In 1912 the Wattle Street building was purchased by Tony Patterson and Huon Matear and was known as the Economic Manufacturing Co. (Bendigo White Works) making underwear. This was followed by Crestknit Industries which ceased operation in 1977. Photos in this article are of Perry's Fuse Factory. 05/02/1977.mining, equipment, fuses, lydia chancellor collection, collection, bendigo, mine, mining, mine safety, mining fuses, mr. charles perry, perry's fuse factory, amy huxtable, w. c. vahland, crestknit industries, manufacturing, perry safety fuse, male, industries

PORTION OF INVOICE - GEORGE CHAPMAN, CLUNES. TIMBER MERCHANT, BUILDER IRONMONGER, PLATED GOODS, CUTLERY, UPHOLSTERERS, AND UNDERTAKER, AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS, MINING TOOLS, ECT.DETAILED INVOICE TO MEF WILKINSON & PARTY. PURCHASED FROM GEORGE CHAPMAN & CO.CLUNES. MINING SUPPLIES EG CANDLES, PICK HANDLES, FUSE, ROPE, DYNAMITE, HANDSAW ECT.local history, commerce, book keeping, mining, george chapman