The Enduring Legacy of Machine E: A Photographic Pioneer
This article chronicles the remarkable journey of Machine E, a highly sophisticated multilayer photographic coating apparatus nestled in Marly, Switzerland. From its initial development by Ciba and its instrumental role in the creation of iconic photographic materials like Cibachrome, through its subsequent stewardship by Ilford, and now its revitalized purpose under Adox, Machine E has consistently remained at the forefront of photographic innovation. Valued at an astounding $100 million in today's currency, this engineering marvel continues to be a cornerstone in the production of premium photographic and inkjet media, profoundly influencing the landscape of analogue photography.
The Enduring Saga of Machine E: A Century of Photographic Innovation
Nestled in Marly, Switzerland, a town situated on the linguistic border between French and German, stands Machine E, a piece of photographic history valued at approximately $100 million. This multilayer photographic coating machine has been instrumental in bringing numerous world-class photographic products to market for decades. Its story, as detailed by a former Ilford employee with over a decade of experience, began in the late 1960s. Originally conceived by the chemical giant Ciba, it served as a crucial tool in their dye and pigment research and development. It first contributed to the evolution of graphic art films before becoming pivotal in the creation of the renowned Cibachrome color photographic material, a complex 13-layer film/paper. Ciba, having acquired the Swiss photographic entity Tellko, integrated its coating expertise in Fribourg/Marly, where Tellko had previously coated both photographic paper and films.
Ciba's involvement with Ilford began in 1963 with an initial share purchase, culminating in full ownership by 1969. During this period, Machine E, a development and pilot coater, was vital for refining various photographic products before their transition to the larger, automated T4 coater in Marly. It also played a key role in testing new components and coating formula adjustments. While Ilford excelled in black and white photography, primarily coated in the UK, Ciba focused on color materials in Switzerland. Following Ciba's departure, Ilford continued with Cibachrome, rebranding it ILFOCHROME in 1992. This product was celebrated for its vibrant colors and exceptional stability, with prints from its early days still retaining their original brilliance.
By the late 1990s, Ilford ventured into polymer inkjet products, developing ranges like Printasia and the professional Galerie series. Machine E was indispensable in fine-tuning recipes and conducting pilot coatings for these innovative inkjet media, especially for OEM partners seeking bespoke solutions. As inkjet technology advanced towards pigment-based inks, the industry required faster drying times, prompting Ilford to pioneer nanoporous (ceramic) inkjet coatings around 1995. These 'Instant Dry' materials, perfected using Machine E, incorporated ceramics with an impressively tiny particle size of 20 nm, resulting in a transparent receiving layer suitable for both dye and pigment inks. Ilford's inkjet division was later acquired by OJI paper in 2005.
The production of ILFOCHROME ceased in 2011 due to declining demand and chemical supply issues. Tragically, Ilford faced receivership in 2013. However, in 2015, ADOX gained access to Machine E, breathing new life into this historic machine for coating photographic materials. Machine E, a six-layer development and pilot coating machine, is housed in a dedicated three-level building, number 140, on the Marly site. This facility also includes supporting laboratories, though finishing processes are conducted elsewhere. With a coating width of up to 20 inches and a speed of approximately 30 meters per minute, it efficiently produces photographic paper and film. Unlike its larger production counterparts, Machine E has a finite coating capacity per run, about 2,500 meters, after which the material is transported to ADOX's Berlin facility for conversion into final products such as perforated 35mm film cassettes. The machine employs vacuum turns to ensure the coated surface remains untouched during processing.
Machine E incorporates a cooling section post-coating, followed by a multi-stage drying system to facilitate rapid film drying. ADOX sources its coating emulsion, a common practice among European coating operations. Future plans include significant upgrades to improve drying capabilities and reduce operational costs, underscoring ADOX's deep commitment to the future of Machine E and analogue photography. The Marly site, now transformed into the Marly Innovation Centre, continues to foster innovation across various sectors, with many original CIBA/ILFORD buildings coexisting with modern facilities, housing companies from diverse nations and even a hotel.
Beyond Machine E, Ciba's Marly Research Centre boasts other notable achievements, including the development of the indelible red paint pigment used on all Ferrari cars, and groundbreaking inkjet dyes and pigments by Ilford's chemists, stemming from their Cibachrome/Ilfochrome expertise. This rich history demonstrates Machine E's enduring legacy and its continued role in advancing photographic technology.
The narrative of Machine E underscores the remarkable resilience and adaptability of a legacy technology in an ever-evolving industry. From its origins in Ciba's pioneering research to its current revival under ADOX, this machine embodies the continuous pursuit of excellence in photographic material production. It serves as a potent reminder that foundational engineering, combined with strategic innovation and unwavering dedication, can sustain and redefine a craft even amidst technological shifts. The story of Machine E inspires us to value and preserve historical tools and expertise, recognizing their potential to drive future advancements and maintain the artisanal quality that digital alternatives often struggle to replicate. It also highlights the vibrant ecosystem of innovation that can flourish when diverse companies collaborate within a shared historical space, as exemplified by the Marly Innovation Centre.