W H Mayall (1923-1998) began his career as a draughtsman in the aviation industry, and from 1952 was responsible for mechanical equipment, design and publicity at Tiltman Langley Ltd. In 1959 he moved to the Council of Industrial Design, later becoming Senior Projects Officer at the renamed Design Council. He lectured, wrote articles and books, liaised with industry and mounted conferences and exhibitions. Having made the move from the practice of engineering and design to the 'design establishment', he was struck by the contrast between the two, and found the latter elitist and divisive. After taking early retirement from the Design Council in 1979, he undertook independent design education and exhibition work under the business name 'Design Promotion Projects'. He also wrote further manuscripts which document his frustrations about certain aspects of the Design Council's approach to its task, as well as his own alternative vision for it.
From the guide to the W H Mayall Archive, 1923-1998, (University of Brighton Design Archives)
