Johnsons of Hendon had been involved with colour chemistry since the 1950s. Apart from manufacturing a range of colour chemistry chemicals, they were also responsible for the Ferraniacolor transparency film home processing outfit and for the Pakolor colour negative film developing and printing outfits. Its also quite likely they were involved with the Paterson-Pavelle home colour print processing outfits marketed from 1963.

Johnsons bought out their own 'colour head' enlarger (with a filter draw and tri-colour filter slide; variable dichroic filters had not yet been applied to colour printing), with an associated colour analyser and print processing equipment, in 1964. At that time Johnsons did not have their own brand colour negative printing chemistry, so their 1964 equipment was intended to work with the newly introduced Kodak home colour print processing chemicals.

An actual Johnsons Colour Enlarger is show left and below, though its additive tri-colour filter slide and subtractive 'white light' filter drawer are both missing.

It is quite possible that Johnsons saw that home colour processing might become a strong competitor to their long standing black & white home processing chemicals and decided to embark upon new R&D to fill the gap in their product range. More surmise is that this was a prime incentive explaining why Johnsons decided to build a new research laboratory in the early to mid-1960s.

Antony.R.Pippard ('Pip' Pippard), who had worked for Johnsons since c1944, was given responsibility for the design and building of Johnsons' new research laboratory, which was completed around 1966. At that time 'Pip' had just been promoted to Chief Chemist, consequent on Sydney Ray leaving that post. 'Pip' Pippard subsequently, in 1970, became Technical Director for Johnsons of Hendon.

By 1972 Johnsons of Hendon had been acquired by Hestair who proceeded to asset strip it by selling the Hendon site itself, which was worth a lot of money. It became the Brent Cross shopping centre. The 'new' (in 1966) Johnsons laboratory, in just ten years, became the car park of the Brent Cross shopping complex ! However, during the time the new research facilities were in existence it is likely that the R&D foundations were laid for some (at least) of the later world class Photo Technology Ltd home use colour chemistry products. The clue may be an article in 'Photography' magazine for May 1973 which refers to Johnsons having "recently introduced an easy-to-use outfit to suit Agfa paper and formulated for the small-scale home user."

Having lost their Hendon site, Johnsons moved to the old Handley Page aircraft factory at Radlett, Hertfordshire, which itself had closed in 1970. Then, in spring 1974, Johnsons ceased photographic chemicals production and 'Pip' lost his job, was rehired but lost his job again and then couldn't find work. He approached various companies, including Ilford, but they had their own problems! By then, aged in his 50s, 'Pip' Pippard felt he was on the scrapheap and it was a difficult time for him and the family. Fortunately, in 1975 he met up with Adrian Willis (formerly of the Regent Chemical Company), who wanted to re-establish the Johnsons' chemicals business.

Adrian and 'Pip' obtained Rights to the well-known Johnsons of Hendon 'Scales Brand' trademark logo from Hestair, in its familiar orange colour scheme, and also the famous Johnsons monchrome chemistry brand names such as Unitol, Definol etc, but Hestair would not sell the company name 'Johnsons of Hendon'. Hence, 'Pip' and Adrian settled on a new name for their products, being Photo Technology Ltd. They set up their operations at Cranbourne Industrial Estate, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. 'Flask End' was the name of the holding company formed by Adrian Willis of which Photo Technology Ltd was a part.

Alongside are two examples of the Johnsons of Hendon 'Scales' trade mark, which subsequent to 1976 was applied to Photo Technology Ltd products.

Recently a gentleman named Richard Stevens has e-mailed to say that he was also part of the team which formed Photo Technology Ltd out of the discarded chemical production section of Johnsons of Hendon in 1976. Johnsons' staff who joined this new venture were 'Pip' Pippard, Bill Smith and John Butcher from production and Malcolm Brand who worked with 'Pip' in the laboratory. The Test Paper division was also bought into Photo Technology and Martin Burnside came to run it.

Working within this new venture, and in conjunction with his assistant Malcolm Brand, 'Pip' produced the world's first workable '2 bath' process capable of both developing C41 (Kodak process) colour negative film and also processing EP-2 (Kodak process) colour printing paper. The chemistry was named Photocolor II, though much to 'Pip's annoyance, the print developer required a 3rd bottle, a UV brightener, to improve print contrast. Practical Photography magazine (April 1984 edition) claims Photocolor II first appeared on the market in 1975 but 1976 seems more likely.

Photocolor II was featured on Tomorrow's World (around autumn 1976) and 'Pip' was very pleased to attend the recording session, although he was not on TV himself.

Philip Weston in his 1977 (?) book "How to do your own Developing & Printing" wrote:
"About a year ago, lechers waiting for 'Top of the Pops' on BBC 1 would be delighted to find photography featured on Tomorrow's World', with William Woollard demonstrating to the viewers the Photocolor II process. For about an hour afterwards my phone was red-hot with people ringing up asking if I had seen it and how it works? - doubtless the reaction was the same nationwide. Although Photocolor II had been on the market for about a year before being featured on TV, it seemed to have attracted less than the amount of attention warrented by so novel a concept - you can process your films and then, with the addition of a small amount of a print additive, process your prints in the same chemicals."

Photo Technology also remarketed the monochrome chemicals that used to be sold by Johnsons i.e. Definol, Unitol, Bromide, Universol. Contrast, 326, Indicol, Fix-Sol, Redifix and Speedwash. In 1976, they advertised Definol, claiming that 4p was all it cost to develop a 35mm b&w film.

Photochrome R, for making positive prints (using Kodak 14RC paper) direct from colour transparencies, first appeared on the market in late 1976 costing £8.50 for solutions enough to process 30 10"x8" prints (or 60 using dish processing). The main competition to Photochrome R was Ilford's Cibachrome A (in 1976) which produced very good results, arguably superior to Photochrome R, but its use could appear daunting because a kit included six chemicals, two being powders, while Photochrome R just required the dilution of liquid concentrates. Cibachrome was also a more expensive process. In spring 1980, Photochrome R was simplified by the expedient of chemical reversal being built into the colour developer. Previously, the print required removing from the processing drum for reversal exposure to light, before colour development.

In August 1979 (see Practical Photography magazine) they added their Photocolor Chrome-Six kit into the Photocolor range for processing E6 compatible colour transparency slide film. It used just four chemical solutions, all mixed from concentrates - "just add water to make up only as much as you need". Originally sold just as a 1 litre kit, by early 1982 Photo Technology also marketed a 4 litre version, capable of processing the equivalent of 40 36-exposure 35mm films. It cost £26.93p + VAT, working out at about 77p per film. Photo Technology claimed Chrome-Six "costs only around half the price of other E6 kits". Chrome-Six had been simplified by 1990 to Chrome-Six 3, requiring the use of only three solutions instead of the original four. It had been improved again by 1998 to Chrome-Six 3+ "for brighter colours".

Although 'Pip' was never particularly well paid for his efforts, he was eventually rewarded by receiving an OBE from the Queen in 1983 for services to the photo-chemical industry. Then, having stayed at Photo Technology until a little past his 65th birthday retirement age (in 1984), 'Pip' Pippard died very unexpectedly from a stroke at the young age of 66 in 1985.

In mid-1984 Photo Technology Ltd were still at Cranborne Industrial Estate, Potters Bar, Herts, EN6 3JN. They advertised their range of monochrome chemistry, ex-Johnsons of Hendon, in Practical Photography magazine's April issue.

Paterson / Photax / Photo Technology purchased by the Arley group
In an e-mail, Richard Stevens relates how, in the mid-1980s (hence around the time that 'Pip' retired and then died) the Photo Technology group of companies that had been formed in 1976, was purchased by the ARLEY group, who also purchased Paterson and Photax. Paterson, previously located at 2-6 Boswell Court, London, WC1N 3PS until 1984, relocated to 301-311 Rainham Road South, Dagenham, Essex, UK, where they remained until 1990. Photax, previously at Eastborne, Sussex, relocated to Station Road, Borehamwood, Herts, WD6 1DQ and assimilated Photocolor chemistry (i.e. Photo Technology) into their product line. By early 1990, Photocolor were located at the previous Photax address of 54, Brampton Road, Hampden Park, Eastborne, Sussex, BN22 9BG.

The previous 'Johnsons of Hendon' monochrome chemistry, with its distribution Rights purchased by Photo Technology in 1976, was marketed by Photax as Monocolor, though still with the (originally Johnsons) 'Scales' trademark on the bottle labels. There is suspicion within the photographic press (Practical Photography, January 1994, p120) that Jessop's own brand Econotol developer might also have been repackaged Unitol, as originally marketed by Johnsons of Hendon, in December 1950.

Presumably it was convenient to market the Photo Technology colour chemistry under the Photax name because Paterson had its own range of colour chemistry that competed with the Photocolor products. Paterson's '3E6' processing kit competed with Photo Technology's Chrome Six and Paterson's 2NA universal colour processing chemicals competed with Photocolor II. Indeed, since 'NA' stood for 'No Additive', Paterson effectively claimed a technical advantage over Photocolor II with the latter's need for the addition of the 'UV brightener' additive when using Photocolor for making prints. However, the reality was that Photocolor products were perceived as being superior.

The Photax Monocolor range of monochrome chemistry was in competition with Paterson's highly respected 'Acu' range of chemistry, typified by the famous high definition Acutol developer, formulated by Geoffrey.W Crawley and first appearing in Autumn 1963.

The Paterson Photax Group Ltd
The Arley Group went into administration in November 1990 and was the subject of a management buy-out in 1991. Paterson amalgamated with Photax at this time and became The Paterson Photax Group Ltd. Paterson's headquarters was at Elstree House, Elstree Way, Borehamwood, Herts, WD6 1SD, UK, displaced a short distance from Photax Ltd based at The Gate Studios, Station Road, Borehamwood, Herts, WD6 1DQ.

In mid-1991 (see AP magazine, June 22nd) the Paterson Photax Group's chemical division, Phototechnology (now, seemingly, written as one word), released a new C41 compatible processing kit aimed at press photographers. Dubbed the Photocolor Press Kit, the developer pack was based upon Photocolor chemistry and was capable of procesing up to nine 36exposure colour negative or monochrome chromogenic films. At the recommended 38°C, developing time was 3mins 15secs. Price was £10.

In November 1991, Paterson Photax's marketing director was Mike Elsdon. The Group announced that it was providing 60 new jobs at its Tipton plant in the West Midlands. The additional workforce was required in production and assembly due to the popularity of the new Benbo Trekker tripod along with the 1991/92 Interfit and Courtenay studio lighting ranges, both being in great demand.

In mid-1992, AP for June 27th reported that Paterson Photax was starting a new photo school for amateurs and pros on August 22-23 at Studio Accessories of Blackpool. Courses to feature all aspects o9f photography, with prices at £75 for one day of £150 for a weekend, incl. accommodation. The full product range available for use and purchase.

By 1994, the Paterson Photax Group had apparently amalgamated at what had previously been just the Photax HQ address, viz: Gate Studios, Borehamwood, but this address was vacated by 1996 and the total business was then consolidated in Tipton, UK West Midlands. But part of the Group's operations had been located in Tipton some time prior to 1996, maybe in 1988?

Richard Stevens comments that cash flow continued to be an issue within the Group and Paterson Photax folded again in 1996 (though he had left in 1995). On 5th June 1996, PR Newswire, on behalf of the Paterson Photax Group, announced "RECEIVERS APPPOINTED AT PATERSON PHOTAX"

"Stephen Hancock from the St Alban's office of Price Waterhouse has been appointed joint administrative receiver of The Paterson Photax Group Limited. The business manufactures and distributes, both in the UK and overseas, a wide range of photographic products and darkroom equipment. The business is based in Tipton in the West Midlands and employs approximately 125 people. Operations in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, ceased earlier this year when the company consolidated its business in the West Midlands. The company was formed through a management buy-out in 1991. Annual turnover is approximately £5.5m. including sales under the Photax, Paterson, Courtenay, Benbo and Photocolor tradenames. Mr Hancock said:"We are hoping to continue trading whilst seeking an early going concern sale. We believe the products are good and the tradenames well regarded. We already have interest in the business and I am hopeful that a positive outcome can be achieved."

By 1998, Paterson (with Photax and Photo Technology) was trading as the Paterson Group International, an IMPRESS GROUP company, and the Group's offices were located at Stafford Park 1, Telford, Shropshire, TF3 3BT. I believe the remnant Photo Technology chemistry was distributed from Telford, but its likely that other Group offices remained in Tipton, W.Midlands.

The previous Photax (née Photo Technology, née Johnsons of Hendon) Monocolor monochrome chemistry was marketed as 'Scales Brand' chemistry, apparently packaged as an economy range, to avoid direct conflict with Paterson's own 'Acu' range.

Interestingly, the 'Scales Brand' monochrome chemicals also had the brand name 'Phototec', but this is believed to be an abbreviation of 'Phototechnology', and not related (?) to the 'Phototec' that operated as an independent Group in the 1970s and 1980s.

The Phototec bottle of Unitol (shown right) was referred to, within the 1998 Paterson catalogue, as being "the well known developer from the long discontinued Johnsons' chemical range."

At this time, the Photo Technology colour formulations entirely supplanted Paterson's own colour chemistry, and the well known and respected Photocolor name was being fully exploited. The Photocolor range had expanded to also encompass the new RA-4 colour print process (starting from early 1992) as well as still suppporting the previous EP-2 process.

The range was then:
Photocolor II - the original formulation for C-41 colour negative film developing. By adding a few mls of print additive tot he developer it can also process EP-2 colour paper. "Suitable for C-41 films and EP-2 paper... still a very popular process."
Photocolor FP - Suitable for developing C-41 films and RA-4 process colour paper. 'FP' stands for 'Film and Paper'. Available in early 1992 from The Paterson Photax Group Ltd, The Gate Studios, Borehamwood, herts, WD6 1DQ, claiming to be one of the first products suitable for home processing of the 'new' RA-4 paper.
Printmaster RA - Only for RA-4 paper but fully exploits its fast processing time between 30C and 40C. 'RA' stands for 'Rapid Access'.
Printmaster RA Ambient - Similar to the earlier EP-2 processs Photocolor RT. Just for RA-4 paper but can be used between 15C and 25C.
There is also:
Photocolor Chrome Six 3+, a new formualtion of the original Chrome Six, for all E6 process slide films.
Photocolor Chrome 'R' a 3-bath porocess compatible with R3 papers for making direct positive colour prints from slides.

During early 2006, Paterson's Technical Manager Roger Parry reported that:
".. our chemistry sub-contractor has closed down its manufacturing plant. We are attempting to find an alternative contractor to mix our formulations. News of the problem has resulted in a run on demand for our chemistry and we now have only stock of a very limited range of our chemistry products. Hopefully our search for a new supplier will be successful and the chemistry will re-appear."
This hope must have extended to all the Paterson chemistry range, because both 'Acu' monochrome and Photocolor colour chemistry was still shown on the Paterson website as late as May 2007.

Then, in Amateur Photographer magazine for 21st April 2007, there appeared an announcement "Germans save British photo chemistry."
"Paterson has re-launched its Acu range of black & white chemistry thanks to a German manufacturer. After the closure of its contractor's UK manufacturing plant last year, Paterson has been inundated with calls from photographers concerned at the loss of their favourite chemistry. A new German contractor has now been appointed to mix the unique 'Geoffrey Crawley' formulations. These include an improved version of Aculux that produces fine-grain negatives for both conventional enlarging and scanning." There are three types of developer, all available in 1litre botles priced £6.99. They are Aculux 3 (fine-grain film developer), FX-39 (high-definition film developer) and Acugrade print developer. There is also Acufix, the 'High Speed Fixer' at £5.99.

But no Photocolor colour chemistry any longer. Photo Technology Ltd products seem to have disappeared. Subsequently, the Paterson website was modified to reflect this change in chemistry supply.