James Parker (cement maker)
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In 1791, Englishman James Parker was granted a patent "Method of Burning bricks, Tiles, Chalk". His second patent in 1796 "A certain Cement or Terras to be used in Aquatic and other Buildings and Stucco Work", covers Roman cement, a term he used in a 1798 pamphlet advertising his cement.
It seems that he sold his patent to Samuel Wyatt who with his cousin Charles Wyatt produced cement in the name of Parker & Wyatt. There is evidence that the Wyatt "Roman" cement was used in building the famous Bell Rock Lighthouse. The cement was made from natural nodules of chalk and clay from the Isle of Sheppey. From around 1807 a number of people looked to make artificial versions of this cement (or more strictly hydraulic lime as it was not burnt at fusion temperatures). Amongst these were James Frost who had about twenty patents from 1811 to 1822 including one for "British Cement" and Joseph Aspdin with his now famous patent for a method of making a cement he called "Portland cement".
Between 1810 and 1820 the cement came into prominent use with numerous manufacturers. In 1832 there were five works around Harwich producing the natural cement. From about 1821 the artificial versions became more popular as improved versions could be made and the product was more consistent.
Frost's patents were taken up by J.B White and Sons who supplied the cement to Isambard Kingdom Brunel for the Thames Tunnel.
[edit] References
- Thurston A P, Parker's "Roman" Cement, Transactions of the Newcomen Society 1939 P193-206 (Newcomen Society)
- Major A J Francis, The Cement Industry 1796-1914 A History, 1977, Davis & Charles (Publishers) Ltd, Devon UK, North Pomfret Vt USA, North Vancouver Canada
