A Brief History of Lincrusta

A Brief History of Lincrusta

Lincrusta was launched in 1877 to instant success in a host of applications from royal homes to railway carriages. Heralded as the first washable wallcovering, it appealed to Victorians because of its sanitary properties as well as its durability and ornate effects.

A British invention, it was the brainchild of manufacturer Frederick Walton whose father pioneered linoleum floor covering in the 1860´s. Originally launched as "Linoleum Muralis", it was subsequently re-named "Lincrusta-Walton" − Lin for Linum (flax, from which linseed oil is made) and Crusta (Relief), with the inventor´s name being added to prevent other firms using the same title.

The Creator

The Creator

A British invention, Lincrusta was the brainchild of manufacturer Frederick Walton.

Frederick Walton was something of an inventor and entrepreneur. He had been associated for some years with the remarkably successful floor covering product, Staines Linoleum, when it occurred to him that the material was capable of development in another and totally distinct way. Instead of applying it to floors he would, with some variation in its manufacture, apply it to walls but with a modelled surface in relief instead of the printed coloured surfaces of floor covering.
Notable Applications

Notable Applications

Apart from its use in general domestic and commercial applications over the years, Lincrusta has been used extensively in ships, yachts, railway carriages, trams and cars.

Notable uses include 6 luxury cabins on board "The Titanic", as well as in famous buildings such as "The White House", Roseland Cottage and John D. Rockefeller's house in New York City.

Manufacture Techniques

Manufacture Techniques

Produced traditionally, using many of the original rollers, with the same care and attention to detail as ever.

First manufactured at Sunbury-on-Thames before production moved to Darwen in 1918, Lincrusta is a classic product which has never needed "improving", made from totally natural materials.

Now manufactured in a purpose-built unit at Morecambe, Lancashire, it is produced traditionally using many of the original rollers, with the same care and attention to detail as when it was first made!