| Administrative History | Although William Chance [1749-1828] and Edward Homer [1749-1825] became partners in the Nailsea Glassworks in 1793, it was Robert Lucas Chance's purchase in 1824 of the British Crown Glass Company on Spon Lane, Smethwick, which marked the transformation in the affairs of Chance Brothers and Co from hardware factors to glass manufacturers. In addition to the glassworks in Smethwick, the partnership erected a chemical works at Oldbury in 1835. The company was one of the leaders in the field of glass making throughout the 19th century, second only to Pilkingtons in terms of quantity of glass production. In 1945 Pilkington acquired a 50% holding in the company, and by 1951 Chance Brothers had become a wholly owned subsidiary of Pilkington. |