Rutherford and Son's story begins when John decided he didn't want to be involved with his father Rutherford's glassmaking business and married in a lowly girl named Mary in London but then changes his mind and comes back for the business.
John, trained in chemistry, has developed a metal which he believes can save the business a great deal of money; but rather than giving it to his father to benefit the business, he regards it as his to sell to make his fortune. 
