I'm intrigued by the iconic Sunderland product which made history in France 60 years ago this week

Pyrex ware was on its way to Dunkirk in March 1966 but it was not for the household market in France.

It was the largest single export order of glass tubing that the Wear Glass Works of James Jobling and Co Ltd had ever produced.

And the tubing was heading for Dunkirk power station where it was set to completely replace the metal tubes which were being used.

Here are two of the workers at Jobling’s preparing the tubes and I wonder if you recognise them.

My look back in time comes at the same time as a photographic artist and researcher started her search for former female employees of Pyrex to help her uncover stories of women’s work at the former Sunderland glass manufacturer.

The Sunderland Echo reported how Sophie Piper, currently undertaking a PhD at the University of Sunderland and in collaboration with Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, had been inspired by the work of Eileen ‘Dusty’ Deste, a photographer who visited Sunderland’s Pyrex factory in 1961.

The project is being jointly funded by The National Lottery and Historic England. If you’re interested in getting involved, fill out this form https://www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/projects-partnerships/womens-work/sign-up/#info

And if you have more memories of James Jobling and Co Ltd as well as the people who worked there, tell us more by emailing [email protected]

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