This humble piece of machinery in the City’s collection was used in the gloving trade. Presses have been a symbol of innovation and technological advancement throughout history.
In Germany during the mid-fifteenth century, Johannes Gutenberg revolutionised communication with his invention of the movable type printing press. Works that had traditionally been painstakingly brushed or transferred by hand were now created in seconds, and in huge numbers by repeatedly impressing entire pages of letters via a giant screw press. The letters could be moved to create the next page, and the process repeated.
This incredible innovation sped up the production of books and reduced costs. It is still regarded by many as one of the most significant inventions of all time.
In nineteenth century France, craftsman Xavier Jouvin took this screw press technology in a new direction by applying it to leatherwork. Jouvin created the “iron hand” which used the pressure to stamp numerous pairs of gloves out of sheets of leather like a pastry cutter. It sped up the time-consuming act of cutting individual glove components by hand and once again revolutionised the industry.
The glove press we can see pictured in use below was used in at Dents Gloves in Worcester, but this item was constructed by John Cam in the Shambles, Worcester. Another great engineer and inventor, John Cam was born in Worcester in 1850 and is famed for developing the carburettor, the automotive radiator and handlebar controls. His company, Cam Engineering owned premises in Charles Street and South Quay, both of which still stand.
This press was donated to the museum collection by his family. We are refurbishing the press for inclusion in our glove factory and in honour of Guttenberg, Jouvin and Cam, this triumph of science and engineering will serve its intended purpose once again.
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