INVENTORS
1906. Naylor’s request for details of the new lighter in January 1907, could not be given since he had not yet completed the Patent submission and, as such, its design was not protected. He was not pleased with the lack of marketing done on the new lighter to secure additional sales, especially since it was an improvement on the first in that it could be used in places the first could not and also it was an improvement on that used by A & Best and others.
However, a dispute arose early in 1907 regarding the details of his design in Patent No 5154/02 and an accusation was made by persons unknown, that it was similar to that of the Stalybrass Patent 13,903/94 that had expired on 19 July 1898.
An order of 400 lamps from Naylors was deferred pending the outcome of a Royal Commission which was set up to investigate the matter. Did the Royal Commission find in his favour, since a further reference to the Royal Commission was made in February 1908. However, the production of the lamps continued despite strong influences of “important people in Cardiff” on South Wales mine owners to purchase other manufacturers lamps, despite the fact that his lamps were, on average 2 shillings and 2 pence (11p) cheaper than those of the competition.
The 400 lamps arrived at Ferndale offices but officials were too busy to look at them due to plans for the complete electrification of all the pits and the construction of a power station.
It transpired that a lot of evidence against accumulators, coils and the new lighter was provided to Mr. Hannah (Agent to D. Davies & Son the mine owners)) without Henry Davies’s knowledge. He therefore invited Mr. Hannah to a demonstration and, despite being nasty at first, owing to the Cardiff influence, he was won over. Someone in the Cardiff office wanted to stop production of lighters to give another company an advantage.
The initial 1904 contract price per lamp from Naylors to D Davies & Son was 6/- (six shillings - 30p) but due to an increase in the cost of copper, from 7d to 1/- a pound, the price was increased to 6/10 per lamp and even at that price, less profit was generated per lamp than at the old price.
The pressures of holding down a permanent job whilst working on his inventions, and the improvements required to keep ahead of the mechanisation of coal mines, is conveyed in the following abridged letter from Henry Davies to Mr Naylor dated 15 February 1907.
Delay in response due to having to be in work practically day and night due to breakages caused by the weather which leaves hardly any time for food or sleep and there is no time at all to think of writing. Modifications to lamp not accepted by Mr Hannah and he would not approve omitting the bottom iron because he could see that the iron made the lock more durable. Also the South Wales Coalfield was extensively being fitted with electrical machinery and the inclusion of the bottom iron helps prevent a lamp being opened on a dynamo or motor magnetic field. The locks of Ackroyd & Best, Patterson's and Williams of Aberdare can be opened on motor's magnet.
Meanwhile, work was continuing on improvements to the safety lamp re-lighter and the following abridged letter to Naylors dated 16 February 1907 addresses Naylor’s critiscisms.