When was waterproof fabric invented

After patenting his material in , Macintosh tried to interest tailors in making it into waterproof cloaks. But the tailors ignored his advice on how to make capes and cloaks and made ordinary greatcoats instead. These were a failure because the rain seeped in between the seams. Angry at the stubbornness of the tailors, Macintosh and his partner, Thomas Hancock, decided to make the garments themselves. They had opened a factory in Manchester to make the cloth, and there they made their first raincoat — a circular cape made in one piece to avoid leaky seams.

This was a boon to stage-coach drivers and passengers riding on outside seats because it meant that, for the first time, they could travel and keep dry. Then the railways began spreading through the country, and the trade for waterproof capes fell off considerably, because rail travellers were not exposed to the weather like people on stage-coaches. Macintosh was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in , for his various chemical discoveries. But tailors were initially reluctant to use his material and so he set up his own company instead.

This was later merged with that of Thomas Hancock, who initiated the use vulcanised rubber into the design.

The first clothing item was a riding coat with internal leg straps to keep the coat from flapping. Now, the company's range of men's and women's raincoats, that range from slim,single-breasted styles to double-breasted, belted trenches, is made by craftspeople who have served a three-year apprenticeship.

It was turned into a fashion icon by stars such as Audrey Hepburn and Steve McQueen, which sealed its reputation as a venerable British brand. Like Burberry and Paul Smith, Mackintosh's Britishness has also given it a cult status in Japan, where it is hugely popular. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. In , his company merged with a clothing firm owned by Thomas Hancock, who had been experimenting with rubber-coated fabrics for years.

Macintosh was elected as a fellow of the Royal Society for his contributions to chemistry and enjoyed considerable success before his death in , aged Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later?

Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Recommended Everything you need to know about the inventor Charles Macintosh.