The story of the Wellcome Foundation Ltd
digital file Colour Sound 1955 28:27
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Summary: This film sets the origins and growth for the Wellcome Foundation Ltd. and the Wellcome Trust in the context of the life and work of Henry S. Wellcome (1853-1936). After briefly describing his early life and adventures, the foundation of Burroughs Wellcome and Co. in 1880, and Wellcome's decision to make Britain rather than the U.S. his permanent base, the film goes on to examine each of his three main areas of activity in more detail: (1) The worldwide commercial expansion of Burroughs Wellcome as a major pharmaceutical manufacturing and wholesale company (2) The sponsorship of biomedical and pharmaceutical research (3) The sponsorship of archaeological excavations and the collection of books, manuscripts, instruments, artefacts and images of medical-historical interest. The film concludes with a brief sketch of Wellcome pharmaceutical production and research in the mid-1950s, and of the early work of the Wellcome Trust in sponsoring medical and medical-historical research down to 1955. 7 segments.
Title number: 17847
LSA ID: LSA/21004
Description: Segment 1 The Wellcome building is introduced. A voice-over gives the history of the Wellcome building over a general shot of Euston Road, London, with red double-decker buses, possibly decorated for the Coronation. Other shots of the Wellcome building are included and there are pans from the rooftop, showing the major buildings of Bloomsbury and over to Big Ben. The early life of Henry Wellcome is covered. Using a model of America, stop frame animation tracks the movements of Wellcome in his early life, from his birth in Wisconsin, his working life in the States and then his travels to Central and South America. This is enhanced by the voice-over commentary, lively music and photographs of Wellcome and his family. In 1880 Wellcome headed for London where he joined Silas Burroughs and they opened an office. Stills show the range of goods they imported as well as their own brand products Hazeline and Keplar. A factory was set up in Dartford, Kent, and foreign trade began - between 1880-1895 their capital had grown from -
Credits: Written and directed by Florence Anthony. Photographed and edited by Douglas Fisher. Commentary spoken by David Lloyd James.
Keywords: Charities -- history
Locations: United Kingdom; England; London; Wellcome Building; Euston Road; Wellcome Chemical Research Laboratories; Langley Court; Kent; Wellcome Chemical Works; Dartford; Kent; Jebel Moya; Sudan; Burroughs Wellcome & Co; New York; United States
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