A brief history of the Mackintosh

With spring showers due to make an appearance in the coming weeks, we thought we'd look back at the origins of the Mac, or Mackintosh; a name synonymous with shielding us from the heavens

Scotland is undoubtedly a very wet country, its Highlands averaging over three meters of rainfall per year, so it’s no wonder the waterproof coat was born within its borders. However, attempts to prevent water penetrating cloth date back as far as the 13th century, when Amazonian tribes would extract milky substances from rubber trees to paste on their clothing. 

But it wasn’t until 1823 that young Glaswegian chemist Charles Macintosh (the 'k' crept in later) developed his waterproof fabric, produced by sandwiching naptha (a by-product of tar) and rubber between two pieces of cloth. The cloth had its flaws – it was easy to pierce when seamed, it became stiff in cold weather and sticky when hot, but after vulcanised rubber was invented in 1839, Macintosh's fabrics were vastly improved and could withstand temperature changes without warping or perishing.

The Mackintosh company was founded in 1895, producing the iconic rubberised coats we're familiar with today. We're rather enamoured with this Mackintosh Dunoon raincoat from Lissom & Muster for its simple, traditional, understated design and pleasing horn buttons. It is a true Mackintosh, made in the Mackintosh factories in Cumbernauld, Scotland and Lancashire, England. It's handmade in rubberised cotton, expertly cut and the seams glued for a watertight seal. Not only will not only keep you dry during the spring showers but is an investment that will keep you dry for decades of rainy days to come. 

Discover more about Lissom & Muster in our online directory.

This is a sponsored blog post, created in collaboration with Lissom & Muster. For more information on partnerships and joining our directory please email advertise@ernestjournal.co.uk.

Age of Reinvention: a cooking set

For the second phase of our #AgeOfReinvention competition, in collaboration with Pedlars, we challenged readers to submit designs to reinvent a pair of reclaimed wooden fireplace sides. We were so impressed with this beautifully considered spec from Sophie at Grain & Knot. Challenge accepted.

Sophie Sellu of Grain & Knot had this to say:

"For centuries the fireplace has been the heart of the home – a source of heat, light, used for drying clothes, cooking on and telling stories around.

I plan to turn these reclaimed oak fireplace sides into a cooking set that can be displayed for all to see. The set will comprise of a cooking spoon, spatula, salad servers and four eating spoons, the ends of which will be charred to represent the start of their journey. Each spoon will be threaded onto a block with cord and be hung onto the rack, and will each have a specific home. The spoon display rack will retain some of he original features of the fireplace sides. 

The cooking set will be intended for everyday use, to make family recipes with and to be passed down through generations."

Watch this space for updates and photos of Sophie of Grain & Knot working her magic to whittle up this cookery set. You'll be able to see the finished item at The Good Life Experience on 18-20 September.

We will be announcing the third item on offer to be reinvented very soon – again, watch this space. #AgeofReinvention

Grain & Knot was born from a love of nature, exploration and the need for purpose in creation. It is beautifully tactile, fully functional kitchenware; each item made from locally gathered logs and reclaimed timber.

 

CONTACT: An experiment in spontaneous portraits, phase 2

Photographer Chris Blott continues his project for the digital edition of Ernest Journal: a series of unplanned portraits where each person nominates then interviews the next. Filmmaker James Aiken picks up the conversation with surfer and photographer James Bowden

Photo: Chris Blott, Interviewee: James Bowden

Photo: Chris Blott, Interviewee: James Bowden

James Aiken: How did your relationship with the sea begin? 

James Bowden: I guess it began in North Devon, when my mum forced me to try surfing. I wasn’t really interested at the time (I was 11 or 12) but became instantly hooked and have been in love with and obsessed with surfing and the sea ever since. My mum’s probably regretting that one.

James Aiken: You often say the most fun you have in the water is bodysurfing. Why?

James Bowden: It’s such a simple pleasure. It’s just you, some fins and maybe a small handplane. Your expectations are low, so just a simple slide along a wave, or head dip under a lip can be the best wave you’ve had in ages. Plus the beach near my house sucks for surfing.

James Aiken: You’ve roughed it on trips in the past. Do you feel less inclined to spend time in uncomfortable situations as you get older?

James Bowden: Yes, I would say so! As your wealth grows larger and your body grows older, you start taking those comforts you couldn’t afford in the past for granted. But, I think a few cold nights in a tent or under a tarp brings you back in line. It’s more fun, and no one’s interested in a story involving a boutique hotel.

James Aiken: Why do you use old film stock for your personal work?

James Bowden: It just makes a change from digital; it gets you away from computer screens and it’s way more fun. You can take your camera and a bunch of film away with you, pick it up, shoot a picture and put it down again and enjoy your surroundings. No checking the back of the camera or downloading cards.

James Aiken: Your photography is very reactive. Do you find yourself orchestrating a situation in order to get a shot you have in mind?

James Bowden: Sometimes, when I’m on a shoot and need to get something specific, I’ll try to stimulate a moment that might make a good image. But I would much rather take a step back and observe and, as you said, be reactive to what’s going on in front of me. A real moment always looks better.

James Aiken: Do you have any advice on how to put a tent up in a sub zero gale?

James Bowden: Before attempting to put up the tent, make sure you tell everyone how amazing it is, how easy it is to put up, and how long it’s been a trusted companion of yours, and then try to keep your cool as one by one, all the poles snap and shatter.

James Aiken: Who have you chosen to be next in the CONTACT chain?

James Bowden: I nominate Jackson Lynch who lives on the banks of the Teifi near Cardigan.

See James Bowden's travel and adventure photography on his website.

CONTACT is exclusive to the digital editions of Ernest Journal. In part three James Bowden interviews Jackson Lynch, owner of fforest, on the blog next week.

Chris has mainly worked as a photographer in the fashion industry, based in London and New York. He is now establishing Quiggleys - beautifully crafted, simple knitwear made in Scotland.

Timeline of a handmade bike

From tube bending to silver soldering, Mark Meadows talks us through the production of his Series 01 – a small production run of 12 unique city bikes almost entirely made in Britain

Frames & forks

We're proud of the fact that Series 01 of Milk Bikes is almost entirely made on British soil. Firstly, the frame and forks are made by an up-and-coming frame builder called Jon Davis, who founded Fresh Fabrications last year, based in Croydon. Jon has an impressive bike building background (including working with the likes of Brompton), an eye for detail and is meticulous in his work. The frames he produces are always beautifully finished, which is why we were keen to work with him on this project – our first homemade frame.

Tube bending

One of the key visual aspects of the bikes is the curves, which are nicely highlighted by the paintwork. The bending is very hard to get right. If anyone has ever bent a tube, they'd know how easy it is to make ripples or crush the tube. There's also a varying amount of spring-back, depending on the size and type of tube. It took a couple of attempts before we were happy.

Silver soldering

The frame is fabricated using a combination of TIG welding and silver soldering. You've got to be on the top of your game for this, particularly on the TIG side of things, because the weld bead remains visible on the finished frame. Any dodgy bits will be there for the world to see.

Tube mitring

We use a CNC milling machine to do most of the drilling and tube mitring so we know the accuracy will be fantastic. We also CNC custom dropouts and plates for the fork and chainstay crowns.

Spray the frame

The frame is then sprayed by the chaps down at Argos Cycles, then Simon from Woodguards adds the wooden parts. Once the wheels are added - that's it. We have a Series 01 Milk Bike.

Discover more about Milk Bikes in our online directory.

This is a sponsored blog post, created in collaboration with Milk Bikes. For more information on partnerships and joining our directory please email advertise@ernestjournal.co.uk.

Age of Reinvention #2

It's the second phase of our Age of Reinvention competition in collaboration with Pedlars and The Good Life Experience. This time, we're offering a pair of wooden fire sides – what would you make?

Photo kindly supplied by Sail.

Photo kindly supplied by Sail.

A century ago, Britain was known as “the workshop of the world.” It was a hotbed of invention and industry. After a 100 years of decline, we’re seeing a real resurgence of craftsmanship – a return of traditional industries, swathes of makers taking risks to set up businesses based on doing what they love and buyers who value the story behind the products they buy.

To celebrate this new age of innovation, we are launching the Age of Reinvention competition – a chance for amateur inventors to furrow their brows, doodle on graph paper and transform old items into unique and practical products. The competition is brought to you in collaboration with our friends at Pedlars, purveyor of wonderful homewares, gifts and quality vintage, and The Good Life Experience, a festival of music, food, culture and the great outdoors.

Between January and August 2015 we're offering eight items for reinvention. Each month, Ernest Journal and Pedlars will choose their favourite design concept then post the item to the inventor so they can work their magic. We will then exhibit the eight completed items at The Good Life Experience (18-20 September 2015) and give each successful inventor two free tickets to the festival and a subscription to Ernest Journal. The second item on offer is a pair of wooden fireplace sides – but what would you turn them into?

For inspiration, have a look at the winner of our first round: design-duo Francli show us what they're going to make with a vintage army canvas.

Item #2: Pair of wooden fireplace sides (64cm x 15cm x 2.8cm)

How to enter 

Simply share a sketch of your proposed design with us on Twitter or Instagram, mentioning @ernestjournal and @PedlarsWorld and using #AgeofReinvention.

The deadline for your first design idea is 8 March 2015. 

If you have any queries, email features@ernestjournal.co.uk

Terms and conditions:

1. The closing time and date is 11.59pm on 8 March 2015. Entries after that date will not be considered. 2. The winning entrant will be posted the item for them to reinvent and display at the Good Life Experience. 3. The prize is two tickets to The Good Life Experience and a subscription to Ernest Journal. 3. The prize is non-transferable and no cash alternative can be offered. 4. See our full terms and conditions.