Kirkaldy's Testing Works Universal Machine

3D Model

On 1 January 1874 Scottish engineer David Kirkaldy opened the world’s first purpose-built, independent commercial materials testing house at 99 Southwark Street London. Inside, his patented 116-ton hydraulic-powered Universal Testing Machine could exert a force of up to 1,000,000lb, bringing rigorous new understanding to the strength of construction materials. Outside, he declared his independence over the door, ‘Facts Not Opinions’. The machine, and his challenge, are still there today.

For the full building model see:

https://www.testingworks.org.uk/

Thank you to the trustees for assistance and permission to capture this location.

Photos taken in September 2021 with a Sony a7R III and processed in Reality Capture.