Historical information

Nobel Industries Limited was founded in 1870 by Swedish chemist and industrialist Alfred Nobel for the production of the new explosive dynamite in the United Kingdom. Ardeer, on the coast at Ayrshire, was chosen for the company's first factory. Between 1877 amd 1926 it was known as Nobel’s Explosives Company Limited. The business later diversified into the production of blasting gelatine, gelignite, ballistite, guncotton, and cordite. At its peak, the factory employed nearly 13,000 men and women.

In 1926, the firm merged with Brunner, Mond & Company, the United Alkali Company, and the British Dyestuffs Corporation, creating a new group, Imperial Chemical Industries, then one of Britain's largest firms. Nobel Industries continued as the ICI Nobel division of the company.

Physical description

Small black timber box with small screw holding back on, and leather handle on top. A pivoted needle remains vertical as box angle changes. Graded scale behing top end of needle. Two adjusting points at top.

Inscriptions & markings

No 10070