The bulk of the collection consists of research notes made during Lilley's time at St. John'sCollege, Cambridge, relating to various aspects of the history, ideology, politics and impact onsociety of science and technology from early civilisation to the twentieth century. The notesinclude bibliography, extracts from many sources, and chronologies of science and technologymilestones. c.1948 (MS 200/1);
Also present are photographs and postcards including as subjects the bridge at Ironbridge,Shropshire; people on a field study; and memorials of James Watt and Matthew Boulton in St. Mary'schurch, Handsworth. c.1953 (MS 200/2).