Charles McIntosh was a Scottish chemist who discovered naphtha – a substance that helped make fabrics waterproof. Today, Google is celebrating the 250th birth anniversary of McIntosh with a Google Doodle showing the rain bouncing off him.
Charles Macintosh was born on 29 December 1766 as the son of George Macintosh and Mary Moore. Charles McIntosh spent his childhood days in Glasgow, Scotland. His family shifted to Glasgow when he was 11 years old. In 1790, Macintosh married to Mary Fisher, daughter of Alexander Fisher a merchant of Glasgow.
Later 18th century in Scotland meant more rainy days than dry ones. During those days, umbrellas were rare and the people going outside knew they were at risk of getting drenched. Waterproof clothes at that time meant oiled fabrics that were not only heavy but also foul-smelling.
When McIntosh turned youth, he started experimenting with chemicals. He devoted most of his time to chemistry. Although he was first employed as a clerk, he resigned from his job before he was twenty and devoted all his time to manufacturing of chemicals. This was the time when he invented various new processes, and one day he invented naphtha, a by-product of tar. He found that naphtha was soluble in India rubber, and the paste mixture had tendency to repel water. Using this substance, McIntosh created the waterproof fabric by sandwiching the product coating between two pieces of cloth. Using the fabric in rain meant the outer water coating would get wet but the inner would protect the wearer from water. McIntosh got the patent of his product in 1823. He was also elected a fellow of the Royal Society for his various chemical discoveries.
When McIntosh created the waterproof fabrics, tailors were initially not much willing to use it. They complained that the fabric gets stiff in hot weather. McIntosh later improved the fabric with the help of vulcanized rubber.
In 1828, McIntosh partnered with James Beaumont Neilson in who had a patent for the hot blastblowing of blast furnaces. McIntosh created his firm Macintosh and further improved his product. He also added letter “k” to the name of his company making it “Mackintosh.” In 1925, Mackintosh Company was acquired by Dunlop Rubber.
Macintosh died in 1843 and was buried in the churchyard of Glasgow Cathedral, where his parents were also buried. His name can be seen on the impressive 17th century monument which stands against the eastern boundary wall. His name can also be seen on the grave of his son George.
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