The need for technical education

Visitors to the Continent were impressed by the technical schools, especially in France and Germany. The emphasis on formal instruction in dyeing, chemistry, art and design was thought by many to be a major reason for Continental success. This point of view was certainly taken by Henry Mitchell when reporting on the Paris Exhibition of 1878.

 

A joint committee of the Mechanics Institute and the Chamber of Commerce had, in fact, already concluded at a meeting held on 1 October 1877 that there was a need for a technical school in Bradford. In 1882 this became Bradford Technical College, and the Prince and Princess of Wales officiated at the opening ceremony for the new College buildings in Great Horton Road on 23 June that year. With the move, new departments were created for chemistry and dyeing, engineering and art (with emphasis on industrial design), in addition to the textile industries department.