I have received intellectual and financial support in the writing of this book from many people and institutions. In particular, I should like to thank Nuffield College, Oxford, University College London and the Central Research Fund of London University, Cambridge University and Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and Birkbeck College, London, for help in the form of facilities for research, research assistance, and sabbatical leave. I am also grateful to Methuen and Co. Ltd and the editors of the Economic History Review for their permission to reprint sections of this work which have previously been published.

Many members of firms in the machine tool industry helped me and gave me advice and hospitality during the course of my research. In particular, I should like to thank Mr R. C. Bragger and Mr J. T. Clements of James Archdale and Co. Ltd, Mr D. Mitchell and Mr G. C. Butler of the Butler Machine Tool Co. Ltd, Mr J. H. Hartopp, Mr J. D. Ellson and Mr J. Hugo of Alfred Herbert Ltd, Sir Stanley Harley of Coventry Gauge and Tool Co. Ltd, and Mr R. Gibson of A. A. Jones and Shipman Ltd. Others who gave me much help were Mr H. O. Barrett of the Machine Tool Trades Association, Mr P. A. Sidders of Machinery, and Mr F. G. Barkway of Kelly's Directories. I should also like to thank Mr Ian Hollick for permission to use the papers of Sir Alfred Herbert.

Much of this work would have been impossible without the help of Greenwood and Batley Ltd, and in particular of Mr L. Haberman and Dr Charles Greenwood.