Sheffield history: Photos show Samuel Fox's in Stocksbridge and move from umbrella-making to steelworks

Samuel Fox and Company, known as Fox's, was a company operating a major steel complex built in the Upper Don Valley at Stocksbridge.

Samuel Fox was a British industrialist and businessman noted for developing the Paragon umbrella frame. In 1851, he and his company Fox Umbrella Frames Ltd developed the Paragon frame, a U-section of string steel that was far superior to its competitors.

Development of the product continued until at least 1935. A similar product was used to make Crinoline frames from 1855. Umbrellas with Fox Frames were sold worldwide.

The business continued to expand and started producing different products and by the mid-1860s the works included furnaces and rolling mills.

In 1862, Fox’s began to produce crucible steel and the company installed two five-ton Bessemer converters, followed in 1863 by a rail and billet mill, and a rod mill in 1864.

Fox Valley shopping centre stands on what was part of the steelworks. The threat of an HMRC ‘winding up’ petition on the remaining operations, Liberty Speciality Steels, was lifted this week. But uncertainty remains, owner GFG Alliance previously said it wanted to sell the works.

In pictures: Looking back at World Book Day