By 1819 Hancock had begun to experiment with making rubber solutions
and in 1820 patented his first rubberised invention, elastication for use in
clothing; elasticated cuffs for warmth, elasticated pockets to prevent pickpocketing
and elasticated waists for a more elegant silhouette.
In 1825 he began working with Charles Macintosh to manufacture his
“double textured” fabric.
On 21 November 1843, Hancock took out a patent for the vulcanisation of
rubber using sulphur, 8 weeks before Charles Goodyear in the USA.