an industrial boom began in derby when rolls-royce opened a car and aircraft factory in the town in 1907. in 1923, the midland railway became part of the london, midland and scottish railway with headquarters in london. however, derby remained a major rail manufacturing centre, second only to crewe and wolverton. moreover, it remained a design and development centre and in the 'thirties, on the direction of lord stamp, the lms scientific research laboratory was opened on london road.