'A New Hat' by H Pyall. Hats were an important part of people's costume during the 1800s. William Murdoch would not have been seen without one.
Image: John Johnson Collection
A job at Soho
Murdoch was granted an interview with respected industrialist Matthew Boulton.
Biographer Samuel Smiles relates how Murdoch nervously fiddled with his hat while speaking. Boulton spotted something unusual about the hat: it was made of wood. Murdoch had made it himself on a lathe. Boulton, impressed by this practical skill, offered Murdoch a job.
This story may be untrue, but Murdoch's journey to Birmingham was fruitful. By October 1778 he was helping to build steam engines at Matthew Boulton's Soho Manufactory.
