At The Colour Palette Company, every collection I create is rooted in stories. The palettes that become mugs and wall art aren’t just about colour combinations and gradients; they’re about place, people, and the hidden narratives that make locations unique.
While researching references for The Derby Colour Palette, I uncovered one of the most dramatic tales in British industrial history. And trust me, it’s got Netflix written all over it!
The birth of the world’s first factory
Derby’s Silk Mill, originally known as Lombe’s Mill, is widely regarded as the world’s first fully mechanised factory. Built in the early 1700s on the banks of the River Derwent, this five-storey water-powered mill transformed silk production and sparked a chain reaction that led to the Industrial Revolution.
A tale of espionage and innovation
The story begins with John Lombe, who travelled to Piedmont, Italy, on what can only be described as an early act of industrial espionage. Italian silk-throwing machines were guarded secrets, but Lombe, working undercover, managed to sketch and memorise their complex designs. He smuggled the knowledge back to England, and with his half-brother Thomas, recreated the technology in Derby.
Imagine the scene: candlelit nights spent copying machinery, whispered plans to outsmart Europe’s silk monopolies, and the daring ambition to bring a new industry home. It’s a plotline fit for a big-budget series.
Legacy and influence
Lombe’s Mill didn’t just change Derby, it reshaped manufacturing worldwide. The mill was powered by a giant waterwheel and even featured early heating innovations. Its success inspired future industrialists, including Richard Arkwright at Cromford, and set the blueprint for the modern factory system.
Today, the site stands as the Derby Silk Mill, part of the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage Site, a testament to ingenuity, risk-taking, and the transformative power of ideas.
Colour with a story
For me, the tale of the Silk Mill reinforces why I do what I do. The colour palettes aren’t abstract, they’re woven from stories like this. Each shade in The Derby Colour Palette is a nod to Derby’s heritage: its ambition, its creativity, and yes, its flair for drama.
Next time you see one of the colour palettes, know this: behind every colour is a story. And behind The Derby Colour Palette is a daring act of espionage that changed the world.
Stay tuned: More behind-the-scenes stories from our palettes are coming soon. Because colour is never just colour, it’s history, identity, and narrative.