ABSTRACT
This chapter emphasises how technological innovation, political entrepreneurship and the international context determined the growth rate and overall business success of Elswick under the leadership of Sir William Armstrong. The involvement of Elswick managers in party politics enabled the firm to develop and maintain access to the British government whatever party was in power. Financial management of Elswick remained with William Cruddas, who had taken over that responsibility in 1861 from his father, George Cruddas, one of the founders of the crane company in 1846. Election results for the Newcastle constituency were determined by Elswick, the largest ward, and the outcome at Elswick was determined by its most important group of voters, the Armstrong workers. Elswick won the armaments order for the ship and thus worked closely with White on the project. Sudeley was an important Elswick link to the international powder industry.
