"Gutta Purcha Worker"

[Ninatoo]

Hi all,

Going back over records I found my gggrandfather had the occupation of "gutta purcha worker" in the 1861 census in Glasgow.  I probably laid this aside at the time for future investigation, but forgot about it.  A quick google led me to revise the spelling to gutta PERCHA, and seems to have been a product like rubber from a tree.  According to Wikipedia, it was used to make anything from furniture to golf balls.

Gggrandfather went on to be a hammerman, but I thought it was interesting to have had a different kind of employment.  I imagine not too many people had this employment at the time.

I wonder if there was some kind of factory in Glasgow where he might have worked?

Anyway, I just thought I would share this, as I hadn't seen it before.

Nina

[stanmapstone]

Gutta Percha is substance closely resembling Indian-rubber, and was brought into the markets of Europe in considerable quantities in the middle of trhe 19th century. There was an India Rubber, Gutta Percha, and Telegraph Works Company, and it was used as a insulator on the Atlantic Cable.
From an 1878 Directory India Rubber, Gutta Percha & Telegraph Works Co Limited at Silvertown and at Persanbeaumont, France; warehouses, 100 Cannon Street, London EC; 52 Castle Street, Liverpool; 35 Kirkgate, Bradford, Yorkshire; 20 Dixon Street, Glasgow & 5 High Street, Belfast
Stan

[coralc]

When I was a wee girl in Belfast (early 50's( we wore "gutties" aka sand shoes, I guess named for the rubber soles. Haven't thought of those in years ! Coral

[Jane Eden]

Hi

Gutta percha was also used in medicine as a constituent in surgical appliances. It is a latex, a rubber substance.

In 1861/62 it was of great importance as an insulator to Lord Kelvin and his cable making.

http://zapatopi.net/kelvin/papers/note_on_the_contributions_of_fleeming_jenkin.html

Jane

[behindthefrogs]

I note from the Antiques Road Show that it is also use in book binding.  Many of the old books, with seemingly expensive bindings, where the pages are coming loose owe this to the use of Gutta Percha.  The good news is that if this is the reason they are easily repaired.

David

[Ninatoo]

What a fascinating subject.  I didn't realise there were so many uses for this product.  I am glad I brought it up as this information will hopefully help others, as it has enlightened me.

Nina

[mosstrooper]

Here is a full rundown of the uses of Gutta Percha, and the name of the factory in Glasgow which manufactured things from this substance.

[Ninatoo]

Wow Mosstrooper that's a find!  Where is that from, one of the old gazettes?  Is there a date for it?

I am stunned by the number of products made from gutta percha.  It is interesting to think that my relation may have made any one of them!

Thanks!

Nina

[mosstrooper]

The image I posted came from the 1927 Glasgow Post Office business directory.
 A very handy resource which I will share with anyone who needs it.