[3] Gun cotton was developed as an explosive in the mid-19th century and many of the initial factories discontinued production soon after due to the volatility of the substance during manufacture.

[2] Thomas Prentice & Company began manufacturing guncotton in Stowmarket in c. 1863[5] at a newly built factory on the banks of the River Gipping.

[2] The Prentice family was prominent in Stowmarket at the time and operated a number of other businesses including a gasworks, corn and coal merchants, maltsters and a Chemical Works (producing fertiliser).

[2] In the following years the factory expanded further partly due to government safety regulations and the introduction of more products including smokeless powder for shotguns, rifles and revolvers.

[2] During World War I the factory made Stowmarket a target, and on 31 March 1916 was the intended destination for the German Zeppelin L13; it was hit with anti-aircraft fire prior to reaching the town and retreated.