| It is now over 70 years since a British scientist invented a foam from a natural latex, which has made a dramatic impact on everyday life. The level of comfort in furnishings that we know take for granted came directly from the work of a Dunlop scientist, Mr E A Murphy, who used an unlikely tool, his wife's Hobart cake mixer, in his quest to product a foam from natural liquid latex.
He spent five years researching the problem, struggling to find a way to create and keep all-important bubbles in the flexible material. Finally in January 1929 he discovered, almost by accident, that whipping bubbles into the latex and then using a gel agent achieved his desired result. Even today the machines used by Dunlopillo resemble giant cake mixers.
Dunlopillo latex foam was the first of its kind as was used in public transport, replacing hard wooden seating in trams, trains and trolleybuses. The aircraft industry also welcomed latex foam to pad cockpits and for seating.
In 1931 the first mattresses were being made, and Dunlopillo began aiming its product at the public at large with advertising that promoted its labour-saving and versatile qualities. At a time when many middle class families were no longer employing live-in servants, the fact that their latex pillows didn't need to be plumped, or mattresses turned, were key selling points.
The Second World War slowed down the furnishing revolution. The only way for asthma sufferers and those with bad backs to get a coveted latex mattress was by doctor's prescription.
In 1943 Dunlop plantations in Malaya were ravaged by the Japanese occupation, and it was several years before the production of Dunlopillo latex foam could be restored to pre-war level.
In 1955, Dunlopillo foam achieved national fame when it was used to make a special seat for Donald Campbell's waterspeed record-breaking craft, the Bluebird. During the Fifties, latex foam seating was also installed in the refurbished Houses of Parliament.
In 1960 Pincore block foam was patented in the UK by Leon Talalay at Goodrich. This incorporated all the basics as we now know them – mechanical foaming, vacuum expansion, freezing and gelling with CO2 .
In 1965 The Talalay production process commenced at Pannal the modern home of Dunlopillo UK in the north of England.
Today, Dunlopillo latex foam has a world wide reputation for being an enduring, high quality luxury product. With our greater general awareness and interest in health, consumers appreciate its naturally anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties as well as the fact it offers supreme comfort and support which are so essential to rejuvenate and revitalise us.
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