One of Guelph’s little-known companies from the late 10th century was the “Novelty Rug Making Machine.” It appeared in Guelph in 1884. It remained there until around 1891.
The owner of the company was Robert W. Ross. Initially, he boarded at the Victoria Hotel. By 1889, he had a home at 121 Glasgow. Beyond these basic facts, little is known about the man and both his personal and business life. Although we do know he had at least one employee in 1885/1886 – George Schick who boarded at the Victoria Hotel.
The Novelty Rug-Making Machine
A booklet currently lodged in the Guelph Museum states, “This is an entirely new invention, having been patented March 6, 1882.” Its purpose was to decrease the labour and time required to produce rugs. Referred to by historians as a type of “punch hook,” the machine hooked the yarn or rag through a piece of fabric. It could produce a rug or mat, depending upon its size, in as little as a day.
The booklet also goes on to inform the reader that anyone with practice, including “children of 10” can use it. Moreover, it was not only simply constructed and easily operated but also inexpensive. The booklet on the machine cost $3 while the machine could be shipped to you for $1.
The patent date is accurate. It also can be referenced to a machine of the same name invented by another Ross – Ebenezer Ross, in Toledo, Ohio the previous year. The product – identical to the one then being sold across Canada, made its appearance in several newspapers across the United States. The Ladies Home Journal for 1890 noted an improvement in their ad. It read: “Our improved Novelty Rug Machine uses two needles; coarse needle for rugs, mittens, etc., and fine needle for zephyrs or silk on plush or velvet.”
The specific link between the two companies is not known – although it is possible RW Ross was an agent for Ebenezer Ross (1836-1904). A check of the American census and related genealogical records reveals RW was not a son of Ebenezer Ross. However, records do not seem to exist, be accessible – or are searchable, to clearly indicate and determine the relationship between the two men and their product.
The Sales Pitch
The Novelty Rug Machine was sold through advertisements. These appeared in various periodicals and newspapers of the time, including Boy’s Own Paper in 1881, a Montreal newspaper (1885) and Markdale Standard (1885). The knitting machine was also part of the Colonial and Indian Exhibition held in London in 1886. Also taking part were other better-known Guelph manufacturers including:
- James Goldie – “Two grades of Winter Wheat Flour, roller process”
- Charles Raymond – “Hand and Treadle Sewing Machines”
- B. Armstrong Manufacturing Company – “Specialists in Hardware for Carriages, Buggies and Sleighs.”
- John Mc Connel – Top Phaeton Buggy”
- Bell and Company – “Organs in Choice Woods.”
The Novelty Rug Machine exhibit was located in the Central Gallery. Two years later, it was part of Ontario’s first Provincial Exhibition.
The Demise of the Novelty Rug Machine
However, by 1890, R. W. Ross was no longer advertising his machine for sale in Guelph. This was not true for E. Ross in Toledo, OH. Ads continued into the 1890s and beyond. However, it was by then facing competition from various types of knitting machines. J. E. Gearheart of Clearwater PA had invented and was producing the “High Speed Family Knitter.” It could knit a “stocking, heel and toe in 10 minutes.”
Gearheart and a companion, C. F. Carden came to Guelph in 1891 – the year after Ross and his business disappeared from the Guelph Directory. They met with Mayor Thomas Goldie at the time. The council then discussed and later approved to allow Gearheart and Company be granted a tax exemption. A year later, in 1892, there is no sign of a factory operated by Gearheart. However, John Groom was selling the “World Star Knitting Machine” in his shop at 148 Quebec Street – just opposite Knox Church.
