Kamptulicon
Encyclopedia
Kamptulicon, whose name was derived from the Greek kampto ("flexible"), was a floor covering made from powdered cork and natural rubber.
First patented by Elijah Galloway in 1843, Kamptulicon was first launched in public at the 1862 International Exhibition
in London, where it caused a sensation. Its promoters compared it to thick, soft leather, and lauded its ease of cleaning, water resistance, warmth, and sound-deadening qualities. Critics, however, pointed out that it was an unattractive colour, a sort of gray-brown. Attempts were made to brighten it up by stencilling patterns on it with oil paint, but these suffered from a lack of durability.
Kamptulicon was manufactured by sprinkling powdered cork on to thin bands of rubber, which was then rolled and rerolled until thoroughly mixed. It was then coated on one or both sides with linseed oil
varnish or oil paint. Powdered sulphur was also sometimes mixed in, and the material then heated to produce a form of vulcanized
kamptulicon.
As well as a floor covering, kamptulicon was also used as cushions in stamping presses, and as polishing wheels for metals.
Within a few years, faced by stiff competition from the manufacturers of oilcloth, plus huge increases in the price of India rubber, Kamptulicon faded away.
First patented by Elijah Galloway in 1843, Kamptulicon was first launched in public at the 1862 International Exhibition
1862 International Exhibition
The International of 1862, or Great London Exposition, was a world's fair. It was held from 1 May to 1 November 1862, beside the gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society, South Kensington, London, England, on a site that now houses museums including the Natural History Museum and the Science...
in London, where it caused a sensation. Its promoters compared it to thick, soft leather, and lauded its ease of cleaning, water resistance, warmth, and sound-deadening qualities. Critics, however, pointed out that it was an unattractive colour, a sort of gray-brown. Attempts were made to brighten it up by stencilling patterns on it with oil paint, but these suffered from a lack of durability.
Kamptulicon was manufactured by sprinkling powdered cork on to thin bands of rubber, which was then rolled and rerolled until thoroughly mixed. It was then coated on one or both sides with linseed oil
Linseed oil
Linseed oil, also known as flaxseed oil, is a clear to yellowish oil obtained from the dried ripe seeds of the flax plant . The oil is obtained by cold pressing, sometimes followed by solvent extraction...
varnish or oil paint. Powdered sulphur was also sometimes mixed in, and the material then heated to produce a form of vulcanized
Vulcanization
Vulcanization or vulcanisation is a chemical process for converting rubber or related polymers into more durable materials via the addition of sulfur or other equivalent "curatives." These additives modify the polymer by forming crosslinks between individual polymer chains. Vulcanized material is...
kamptulicon.
As well as a floor covering, kamptulicon was also used as cushions in stamping presses, and as polishing wheels for metals.
Within a few years, faced by stiff competition from the manufacturers of oilcloth, plus huge increases in the price of India rubber, Kamptulicon faded away.