It’s Raining, It’s Pouring by Suzanne Norquist

On a rainy afternoon, a coat made from waterproof, breathable fabric keeps me dry and comfortable—a luxury, for sure.

Early civilizations used materials they found in their environment to help ward off the elements, mostly plants and animals. Capes woven from natural fibers, such as grass, straw, and cedar, served the purpose. The scent of cedar would also keep insects and snakes away—an added benefit. However, such garments tended to be bulky and vulnerable to fire.

Animal furs and skins were naturally waterproof. Even sheep’s wool contains natural lanolin, rendering it water-resistant.

Alternatively, fats and oils from animals and plants could be rubbed on clothing to keep moisture out. Sailors commonly used linseed oil for coats and sails. The smell was worth it if a person stayed dry.

Tribes with access to rubber trees had the best natural resource of all. Native Americans in southern Mexico created rubberized fabrics sometime before 1600 BCE.

When Europeans traveled to Mexico in the 15^th and 16^th centuries, they tried to import the trees. However, the plants didn’t grow well in colder climates.

The most significant breakthrough came in 1823 when Scotsman Charles MacIntosh squeezed liquid rubber between two pieces of fabric and pressed them together.

He didn’t set out to revolutionize rainwear. As a chemist, he was trying to find uses for waste products in the steel-making process. He determined that coal-tar naphtha would dissolve rubber. He put this dissolved rubber between the pieces of fabric.

Though the fabric was completely waterproof, it wasn’t without problems. In hot weather, it became sticky, and in cold weather, it was stiff. When tailors sewed a coat, they poked holes, creating leaks. Also, body heat made the wearer very sweaty, and body oils would cause the fabric to deteriorate over time. And there was a rubber smell.

When no one wanted to use his fabric to make coats, MacIntosh set up his own factories. There, he addressed a number of the complaints. The most significant improvement came when Vulcanized rubber was invented by Charles Goodyear (think tires). Sulfur was added to the rubber, making it more flexible and less impacted by temperature changes.

MacIntosh also sealed the seams, preventing leaks, and created air holes under the armpits to let the coat breathe.

Gabardine was invented in 1879. It is a fabric made from cotton or wool, which has been tightly woven into a twill that funnels water downward. All kinds of waterproof garments were made from gabardine. It was a favorite for use in military trench coats. The durability and comfort of the fabric made it perfect for wartime use.

The advertisement for gabardine (above) lists the following advantages.

1.   Absolute freedom for all limb movements.

2.   Extra durability in wear.

3.   Perfect air-porousness and almost negligible weight.

4.   An especially smart and sportsmanlike appearance.

5.   Practical impermeability to wet, cold winds and fish hooks.

In the early 1900s, other rubberization techniques allowed for manufacturing different kinds of raincoats. And in 1930, cellophane and plastics came into use.

Raincoat technology has continued to evolve with a variety of materials and effectiveness. I, for one, am glad to wear something other than a giant grass coat that probably leaked.

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”Mending Sarah’s Heart” in the Thimbles and Threads Collection

Four historical romances celebrating the arts of sewing and quilting.

Mending Sarah’s Heart by Suzanne Norquist

Rockledge, Colorado, 1884

Sarah seeks a quiet life as a seamstress. She doesn’t need anyone, especially her dead husband’s partner. If only the Emporium of Fashion would stop stealing her customers, and the local hoodlums would leave her sons alone. When she rejects her husband’s share of the mine, his partner Jack seeks to serve her through other means. But will his efforts only push her further away?

 

Suzanne Norquist is the author of two novellas, “A Song for Rose” in A Bouquet of Brides Collection and “Mending Sarah’s Heart” in the Thimbles and Threads Collection. Everything fascinates her. She has worked as a chemist, professor, financial analyst, and even earned a doctorate in economics. Research feeds her curiosity, and she shares the adventure with her readers. She lives in New Mexico with her mining engineer husband and has two grown children. When not writing, she explores the mountains, hikes, and attends kickboxing class.