Kilner jar The company was forced to close down to convert to gas furnaces and struggled along for a 66 years despite 3,000 people losing their jobs. In 1937, there was a bankruptcy sale, in which the patent rights to the "Kilner Jar" were sold to the United Glass Bottle company along with the rights to the very similar "Mason" jar that had also been made by Kilner. In 2003, The Rayware Group purchased the design, patent and trademark of the original Kilner jar and continues to produce them today in China. A more detailed history of the companies by the Society
Thomas Kilner the armistice he was in charge of an orthopedic unit for patients suffering from fractured femurs. His was advised he might gain an appointment with Major Harold Gillies in a new hospital unit where a new of specialty, "Plastic Surgery." was being practiced. Though not knowing what this was, Kilner was appointed to the hospital at Sidcup. In 1915 Kilner had married Olive Brown. Their son, Hugh, was born in date. Olive Kilner died when Hugh was an infant of an acute abdominal catastrophe. Hugh qualified in medicine at St Thomas's Hospital but died during service with the Medical Branch