With the new prosperity that the end of WW II brought America sprouted all over the place. All those factories making washing machines and toasters needed workers and worker had families that needed houses so the 'burbs blew like a hurricane across the continent swallowing forests and prairie alike. You can just hear the munching.
But the concept of making a spot for the worker is not a new one. Certainly not one that a simple world war had anything to do with. I give you Port Sunlight. The ultimate burb.
Since we all use soap (I hope) we know where this is going. Named after Sunlight Detergent this delightful little town was built entirely for the employees of Lever Bros Soap by William Hesketh Lever on the Wirral peninsula in Merseyside (yes . . . Gerry and Pacemakers-Ferry Across the Mersey).
In 1887 Lever was looking for a spot to build and expand his soap business and settled on this location because of it's proximity to both sea and rail. From the start Lever was totally involved in the planning; from layout to the designs of the buildings.
Over 15 years he saw to the construction of over 800 houses and public buildings. Now Lever was a hell of a nice guy. On top of using the best construction and architects of the day he built an art gallery, the Lady Lever, and a swimming pool, hospital, schools, concert hall, churches and even social programs to help families through tough times.
The social significance of Port Sunlight can't be understated. Aside from being a model for worker housing it was a successful example in what he termed "profit sharing". Deeply Christian in his beliefs he genuinely felt that by providing for the emotional and spiritual well being of his staff as well as a substantial menu of the basics, he would in turn get higher production and employee retention. Hmmm, wonder if you got free soap?Cadbury Chocolate had a similar town called Bourville.
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