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The invention of Lincrusta wallpaper
The stock market crash of 1873
brought an economic crisis in Europe that lasted until 1879.
The crash of the financial markets drove many factories and banks to ruin.
Now, an initiative was needed to revive the economy with new products and markets.
Frederick Walton, chemist and inventor, has created linoleum, the natural
flooring, at his factory in Sunbury and later in Lancashire.hergestellt.
He had an idea:
Why linoleum only for the floor, why not also for the wall?
Linseed oil, natural resins, dry materials and fillers are stirred and boiled
to a tough, doughy mass. The so-called linoleum cement is produced,
which has to be stored for 2 months until further processing.
The hot linoleum cement is applied to the carrier material (paper) by means of
rollers in a layer thickness of 3 to 5 millimeters, and the pattern is
embossed. The coated length must be cooled and then stored for
post-ripening (oxidation). This multi-stage, time-consuming and
labor-intensive process certainly explains the price, although the
unique usability of the Lincrusta wallpaper is probably the decisive
argument. It is practical, extremely durable, washable and not to
forget, shock resistant.
The long way of Lincrusta wallpaper
With the market launch in 1877, the Lincrusta wallpaper was an overwhelming success.
In royal houses, railroad cars, theaters, hotels and distinguished villas around the world, Lincrusta wallpapers were found. The deeply embossed, classic patterns were hardly distinguishable with color of leather wallpapers and thus a synonym for beauty, preciousness and splendor. Lincrusta was patented as Linoleum Murals. Later the name of the inventor was added. Lincrusta was marketed as Lincrusta-Walton to make the original of imitators distinct. And imitations like Linomur, Subercorium, Calorian and Cortecine were enough. But Lincrusta was the original, was the "brand". None of these products could be as successful as Lincrusta. "Who comes first". Success is a two-edged sword. The Wallpaper Manufacturing Company became aware of Lincrusta and acquired the company in 1905.
Hard times for Lincrusta
After the outbreak of World War II was no longer produced. The embossing cylinders were melted and the steel used for the production of ammunition. In the post-war period Lincrusta emigrated with WPM from hand to hand, has been sold, bought, and later merged with Azko to Azko Nobel. In this time, the production was continued with only a fraction of the original pattern of the flowering period of Lincrusta. Many of the designs have been lost in the turmoil of takeovers and sales. Often they had been the property of the temporary owners. Original designs had to be bought back and re-engraved.
Until 1998 Lincrusta existed more or less in secret. 2003
CWV AG buys the company.
A newly built factory in Morecambe has been designed to meet the special requirements of the production of Lincrusta wallpaper.
A new beginning for Lincrusta
Since 2014 the new shareholder Heritage Wallcoverings Ltd. Investing in the brand and the product, supported by advertising and promotion, will help Lincrusta to regain its former glory. The Lincrusta wallpapers are still made according to the old recipe. With the hedging fire class 1A new opportunities in hotels and restaurants are given. The magnificent style pattern of different eras, modern design, simple allover, Dado panels and friezes to have again.
As with any other wallpaper, our creativity is challenged with the color scheme. Whether with paint in oil or acrylic or simply a colorless coating, effects can be achieved and the surface permanently protected.
It's unbelievable, but Lincrusta is a wallpaper that has been produced for 140 years, sells and admired.
We love Lincrusta, this old and new beauty.
