Gutta Percha Co.

1860

The Silvertown Company has also been known under several names in its history. It has been The Rubber & Gutter Percha Company, British Tire and Rubber Co. and the Telegraph Works Co. (its origin being founded around 1864). The factory at first made mostly cables but began making other products e.g. tyres and golf balls from the 1890's. The company came to the fore in the gutty ball era under the influence of Dr Rollo Appleyard. It became hugely influential again with Albert E Penfold (the most important figure in British golf ball manufacture in the 20th century). Penfold's early working years were under the watchful eye of the eminent scientist Dr Rollo Appleyard and he took a prominent role in research and development. He was put in charge of golf ball development in 1911 and was quickly putting his own unique touch to the designs, getting a patent on his "Mesh" pattern and "Lattice" designs in 1912. Penfold assigned the 'mesh' pattern to The Silvertown Company, but he retained the rights to the 'lattice' design, this importantly would prove integral to the birth of the Penfold brand.

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