Colour photograph. Brick building partly 2 storeyed, 2 square turrets with curved shapes rooves. Ornate cast iron gate James Lerk 28.2.2000 ' Perry's Fuse Factory, Wattle St., Bendigo 'buildings, commercial, perry's fuse factory

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

Charles Perry was born in Cornwall in 1832 and came to Victoria when he was 25. He and John Hunter established a fuse factory in Wattle Street. Perry designed and patented a safety fuse that he was then able to put into production in 1875. In 1889 the business was sold to Bickford Smith and Co., English fuse manufacturers, who continued to manufacture fuses until 1912. Perry was active in community affairs and served as a councillor for the Sutton Ward in 1902. He died in 1912 and the funeral was conducted from his home "St Leonards" in Don Street. 10563.6 "St. Leonards" in Don Street, Bendigo. Former home of Charles Perry, Safety Fuse inventor. B&W photocopy of the original B&W photo.bendigo residence, don street, bendigo