Science and engineering in Manchester chemist visited Manchester in the 1840s. In his research in Manchester, Smith discovered the existence of acid rain, a by product of the industrial revolution. Smith consequently pushed for greater environmental awareness and helped to found the Noxious Vapours Abatement Society in Manchester, which raised awareness of the consequences of poor air. Joseph Whitworth was an engineer and inventor who hailed from Stockport, Cheshire (now Greater Manchester). A talented mechanic amongst various other engineering roles, for long periods of his life, he worked in factories in Manchester. Whitworth would ultimately devise a standard screw thread system, the first of its
American Watch Tool Company built up between 1877 and 1916. All four buildings are two stories, and are built of brick. The largest building, dating to 1901, stands closest to the street; it is seven bays wide, six of which have windows set in segmented-arch openings at the two main levels, with smaller similar windows at the basement level. An entrance occupies the rightmost bay. The American Watch Tool Company was established as a spinoff of the American Watch Company, Waltham's leading business of the late 19th century. The company was established by tool makers, many of whom had learned precision machining in other