James Parker (cement maker) facts for kids

James Parker was an English businessman, a church leader, and an inventor. He created one of the first new types of cement in the late 1700s. This invention was very important for building strong structures, especially those in or near water.

Parker's Amazing Invention: Roman Cement

In 1791, James Parker received a special document called a patent. A patent protects an inventor's idea, meaning no one else can copy it without permission. His first patent was for a way to burn bricks, tiles, and chalk.

A few years later, in 1796, he got another patent. This one was for "a certain Cement or Terras." This special cement became known as Roman cement. It was perfect for buildings near water, like docks or bridges, and for decorative finishes called stucco. Parker started making his cement at a factory in Northfleet, Kent, England.

How Roman Cement Was Made

Parker's Roman cement was made from natural materials found in the ground. Workers collected special lumpy rocks called "septaria." These rocks were a mix of chalk and clay. They came from places like the Isle of Sheppey, an island off the coast of England.

These natural rocks were then heated in a kiln, which is like a giant oven. After heating, the material was ground into a fine powder. When mixed with water, this powder created a very strong and fast-setting cement.

The Spread of Roman Cement

James Parker sold his patent to Samuel Wyatt and his cousin Charles Wyatt. They continued to make the cement under the name Parker & Wyatt. James Parker himself moved to America in 1797 and passed away shortly after.

The Wyatt family's Roman cement became very popular. It was even used to help build the famous Bell Rock Lighthouse in Scotland. This lighthouse needed a very strong material to stand firm against the ocean waves.

After Parker's patent ended around 1810, many other companies started making Roman cement. By 1832, there were several factories producing it.

New Cements Emerge

Over time, people started looking for ways to make artificial versions of Parker's cement. These new versions could be made more consistently and often worked even better.

One inventor, James Frost, received many patents for his own "British Cement." Another important inventor was Joseph Aspdin. In 1824, he patented a new type of cement he called "Portland cement." This cement would later become the most widely used cement in the world.

Frost's cement was used in big projects, like the famous Thames Tunnel in London. This tunnel was a huge engineering challenge, and it needed very reliable building materials.

The End of Parker's Company

The original Parker and Wyatt company stopped making cement in 1846. Their factory in Northfleet was sold to William Aspdin's company. William Aspdin was Joseph Aspdin's son. He changed the factory to make Portland cement instead of Roman cement. The factory kept making cement until it closed in 1901.