Innovation of the Era!
Mid to Late 1800s

Your Hose Wears a Jacket?

In 1839, Charles Goodyear invented the process of vulcanization, making rubber less sticky and more durable for use. This led to rubber being used to make fire hose. Fire hose began to be made with a rubber inner core and a cotton-jacketed outer core. This hose was in widespread use by the mid-1800's and was much lighter, more water tight and much more flexible then leather riveted hose.
Not only was cotton jacketed hose light and flexible, it did not rot like leather hose: this was a big step forward in hose technology.