New Era Brush Factory, Muttikulangara

The New Era (I hope I got the name right his time) Brush Factory at Muttikulangara was a very active unit during our school days.
Many from the neighbourhood found employment there.I have once visited the factory with grandfather. I don't think they had power supply then. They were probably running on captive power as there was some discussions about Generators during that visit.

They used to make a toothbrush with the tongue cleaner inside.It was quite an innovation. It was perhaps patented. The patent would have expired by now. Some entrerprising brush manufacturer today can use that design for product differentiation.

During those days the polymer science was not well developed. I wonder what plastics they were using for the handles. Remember, they were also making door handles and such which I think were made of bakelite ( thermosets).

Hari

Nirmal Glass works

Both Santosh and Sundar confirm that the name of the Glass Factory near Muttikulangara was Nirmal Glass works, and not 'Ogale' as I thought.

Hari

Gandhiji's visit to Palghat

I just learnt from the site: http://www.gandhiserve.org/information/chronology_1934/chronology_1934.html
that Gandhiji visited Palghat on 10th January 1934. He addressed several meeting in and around the town. He also visited the 'Shabari Ashram'. Where and what is this?
Anyone?
Hari

Tile Factory

The Commonwealth Tile Factory was very much part of the Palghat scene during my school days (in the 1950s)

Dumpers used to bring clay from outside the town. The clay dropping from the dumpers were popular with the school children for making dolls and other artefacts.

The factory itself used to employ several workers. They had uptodate machinery and the products were marketed far an wide.

The factory was owned by Commonwealth Trust which traces its origin to Basel Mission- a Christain Mission started by German missionaries who operated in Karnataka and Kerala. They wanted to have some vocational training and occupation for their converts and potential converts. After a some failed ventures, a Tile factory in S Kanara became their first viable unit. This must have been around 1865 . Two other tile factories were set up in 1877 and 1880 . One of them must have been the Olavakkot factory.

The Basel Mission were perhaps the inventors of the Mangalore tiles as they had a patent for the design.

Does anyone know when exactly the Olavakkot factory was established and who are the current owners of the (residual) property and what they intent doing with it?

What happened to the other Tile factories of Comtrust in Mangalore and Feroke?

The picture below shows the gate of the factory which is not yet demolished. A board mentions floor tiles, a natural diversification in the days of declining market for roofing tiles.

In the photo you will observe some plastic tubes meant for Optical Fibre cables. Is this a case of new technology standing witness to the death of an old technology - albeit in a different field?

Any additionl inputs are welcome.

Other Factories
I can also recall the New Era Brush factory in Muttikulangara where the MSP camp is presently located. There was also a Glass factory nearby.

V.Harihara Subramanian

Tile Factory

[12/09/2005 23:05:55] | [harivan@rediffmail.com ] The Commonwealth Tile Factory was very much part of the Palghat scene during my school days (in the 1950s) Dumpers used to bring clay from outside the town. The clay dropping from the dumpers were popular with the school children for making dolls and other artefacts. The factory itself used to employ several workers. They had uptodate machinery and the products were marketed far an wide. The factory was owned by Commonwealth Trust which traces its origin to Basel Mission- a Christain Mission started by German missionaries who operated in Karnataka and Kerala. They wanted to have some vocational training and occupation for their converts and potential converts. After a some failed ventures, a Tile factory in S Kanara became their first viable unit. This must have been around 1865 . Two other tile factories were set up in 1877 and 1880 . One of them must have been the Olvakkot factory. The Basel Mission were perhaps the inventors of the Mangalore tiles as they had a patent for the design. Does anyone know when exactly the Olavakkot factory was established and who are the current owners of the (residual) property and what they intent doing with it? What happened to the other Tile factories of Comtrust in Mangalore and Feroke? The picture above shows the gate of the factory which is not yet demolished. A board mentions floor tiles, a natural diversification in the days of declining market for roofing tiles. In the photo you will observe some plastic tubes meant for Optical Fibre cables. Is this a case of new technology standing witness to the death of an old technology - albeit in a different field? In additionl inputs are welcome. Other Factories I can also recall the New Era Brush factory in Muttikulangara wher the MSP camp is presently located. There was also a Glass factory nearby. [edit] [Delete] [Edit Comments]

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