A History of RBG Kew's Seed Work
(page 2 )
1974 - Seed bank incorporated into Physiology Section at Wakehurst Place under Dr Peter Thompson. First major seed collecting expedition (to Mediterranean).
The first seed laboratory at Wakehurst Place.
1978 - Conversion of Mansion, the building of the Orchard Workshop (one of Britain's first metric buildings) incorporating a purpose built seed bank and the provision of modern glasshouse facilities completed.
1979 - Purchase of a "mini" computer for data handling.
1980 - Dr Thompson leaves; Roger Smith takes over.
1981 - Bank and research functions clearly separated.