Neil E. Tillotson (December 16, 1898October 17, 2001) was the inventor of the modern production methods for

latex Latex is an emulsion (stable dispersion) of polymer microparticles in water. Latexes are found in nature, but synthetic latexes are common as well. In nature, latex is found as a milky fluid found in 10% of all flowering plants (angiosperms ...

balloons and

latex gloves Latex is an emulsion (stable dispersion) of polymer microparticles in water. Latexes are found in nature, but synthetic latexes are common as well. In nature, latex is found as a milky fluid found in 10% of all flowering plants (angiosper ...

https://www.neatorama.com/2011/03/07/the-balloon-man/ as well as the founder of Tillotson Rubber Company. Later, as a resident of

Dixville Notch, New Hampshire Dixville Notch is an unincorporated community in Dixville township, Coos County, New Hampshire, United States. The population of the township, all of whom live in Dixville Notch, was 4 as of the 2020 census. The village is known for being one o ...

, he was the first voter in every American presidential primary and

presidential election A presidential election is the election of any head of state whose official title is President. Elections by country Albania The president of Albania is elected by the Assembly of Albania who are elected by the Albanian public. Chile The pre ...

from the time he took residence there to his death in 2001.

Business career

Working at Hood Rubber in the 1920s as a researcher, Tillotson lost his job as a result of the Great Depression. Out of desperation and boredom, Tillotson discovered a way to make latex balloons economically. He founded the Tillotson Rubber Company in 1931 to produce them. His first product was hand-painted balloons in the shape of a cat's head, but he soon branched out into other offerings. In 1931, despite the Depression, Tillotson Rubber made

USD The United States dollar (symbol: $; code: USD; also abbreviated US$ or U.S. Dollar, to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies; referred to as the dollar, U.S. dollar, American dollar, or colloquially buck) is the official ...

$85,000 in sales (equivalent to $1.2 million in 2009). Tillotson's company invented the high-speed latex dipping machinery that made possible his later invention in the 1960s, latex examination gloves that fit either hand. He remained active in the company until suffering a stroke in June 2001.

Other ventures

In 1968, Tillotson co-founded Tillotson Pearson Inc. along with Everett Pearson, the co-founder of

Pearson Yachts Pearson Yachts was a sailboat manufacturer founded by Everett Pearson and Clinton Pearson in 1956. One of the first fiberglass sailboat manufacturers, they grew rapidly during the 60s and 70s, while also developing and designing new boats. Howe ...

, and sold his interests in the company in 1992.

Politics

In 1954, Tillotson purchased

The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel is a grand hotel and ski resort located in Dixville Notch in New Hampshire, United States. The resort grounds cover and feature of cross-country ski trails, an alpine ski area with 16 trails, five glade areas and ...

, and subsequently moved there. After a successful bid to create a polling location at Dixville Notch, he was the first voter in every American presidential primary and presidential election for 40 years, until his death at age 102. His casting his vote immediately after midnight was often covered in the press. Tillotson was a

Republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

, but regarding his choice of candidates, he stated, "'I think the first thing you look for is honesty. The next thing is, has he got a brain? And is he emotionally reasonably stable?"

Personal life

At the time of his death, Tillotson and his first wife, Dorothy Gardner, had three children: daughters Neila and Janet, son John; with second wife, Alma Eastin, had two sons, Rick and Tom. Additionally, he had 22 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tillotson, Neil 1898 births 2001 deaths People from Coös County, New Hampshire 20th-century American inventors American centenarians New Hampshire Republicans Businesspeople from New Hampshire Businesspeople from Vermont Businesspeople from Massachusetts Lowell Technological Institute alumni Men centenarians People from Canaan, Vermont People from Watertown, Massachusetts People from Wellesley, Massachusetts