Interviews of David Jardine aged 68

Biographical interview with David Jardine (b. 1949, Dumfries) who joined ICI in 1970 as an instrument artificer. He explained that he had applied for a job with ICI while still at school but had already taken up an apprenticeship by the time they called him back. He reapplied and was successful. Most of this interview is concerned with working practices within the factory and how these changed over time. He also charts the change from ICI to Dupont ownership and the impact ditigal technology has had.

In the early days, with ICI, instrument artificers would be called in when a problem developed with a machine. They would then be working on one component or element of the plant and would rely on the operators to show them where the problem originated. David explained that the increase in digital use of technology and a different mind-set within the management means that now the machine will be attended to only when it breaks down and repairs could then take weeks. David also recalled that ICI would always keep ample spare parts and would spend more time on maintenance and were committed to health and safety. He noted that it's not possible to imagine how ICI would have responded to increased digitisation.

Towards the end of the interview, David reflects on what it was like to work at ICI during the heyday. At that time, ICI employed around 1,300 people and ran all sorts of recreational and social events. When asked about any final thoughts, David said that he had no regrets, although he never thought he would stay so long with the company (he retired after 43 years with ICI).