1-158-443 - Oxford Science Archive/Heritage Images

Webb's chemical factory, Diglis, Worcestershire, 1869. The tall building to right behind chimney contains Gay-Lussac's lead chambers for the production of sulphuric acid (Oil of Vitriol or H2SO4), one of the most important of industrial chemicals. Invented in 1827, the lead chambers only came into practical use for the large-scale production of sulphuric acid after the invention by John Glover in about 1859 of the denitrating tower which can be seen on the end of the lead chambers. From The Illustrated Midland News, (Birmingham, 30 October 1869).