IndustryNational and Dravidian movements
· Sivakasi
N. R. K. Rajarathnam founded Standard Fireworks at Sivakasi, first making matches and later fireworks.
Standard Fireworks was founded by N. R. K. Rajarathnam in Sivakasi in 1942. The company began by manufacturing safety matches and later expanded into fireworks. It became one of the best-known firms in Sivakasi, which grew into the centre of India's match and fireworks industries.
G. D. Naidu builds India's first indigenous electric motor
Coimbatore inventor G. D. Naidu, working with D. Balasundaram, developed India's first indigenous electric motor.
India Cements was started by S. N. N. Sankaralinga Iyer, whose first factory was at Thalaiyuthu near Tirunelveli.
Ashok Motors (later Ashok Leyland) founded in Madras
Raghunandan Saran founded Ashok Motors in Madras to assemble cars; it became Ashok Leyland in 1955.
Central Leather Research Institute founded in Madras
The Central Leather Research Institute was founded in Madras as a laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.
Integral Coach Factory founded at Perambur
The Integral Coach Factory, a railway coach manufacturing unit of Indian Railways, was established at Perambur in Madras.
Sivakasi fireworks factory explosion
Forty people died and over 70 were hurt when an explosion hit the Om Sakthi fireworks factory near Sivakasi.
