30/06/2026
๐ Born on this day in 1792, Thomas Edmondson. As a young man Thomas worked initially for the famous local furniture manufacturers Gillow, before moving on to employment in the emerging railway industry. ๐
It was whilst working as a station master on the Newcastle & Carlisle Railway that he devised a small pre-printed railway ticket, replacing the common handwritten bills of the time, and later a machine to easily print these tickets in large batches. These tickets eventually became a standard issue on railway lines around the globe. ๐
By the time he died in Manchester in 1851 his inventions had made him quite a wealthy man. An example of Edmondson's revolutionary ticket machine can be found on display at Lancaster City Museums. ๐ซ
The site of Thomas' birthplace on Moor Lane in Lancaster was, for many years, in a very poor state of repair. In more recent times Lancaster High Streets Heritage Action Zone have helped restore many properties in the area, giving the building a new lease of life. It is now occupied by Stonewell Spring Delicatessen & Wine Bar! ๐ฅ
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