Google honors inventor of raincoat with new Doodle

GLASGOW, Scotland, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Google is celebrating the 250th birthday of Charles Macintosh, the chemist who invented the waterproof raincoat, with a new Doodle.

People visiting Google's homepage on Thursday will be treated to a short animated clip featuring Macintosh testing out his world-famous raincoat, showing rain sliding off the coat.

"His invention, patented in 1823, came about as he experimented with coal-tar naphtha and rubber and realized they could be fused together with fabric to create a waterproof surface," notes the Internet giant about Macintosh's invention.

"These days in the U.K., it's common to call any type of raincoat a 'Mac,'" they continued.

Today, Macintosh's raincoats are still produced across the U.K. with factories in Scotland and Lancashire under company name Mackintosh with an added "k."

The, coats made by craftspeople who have served a three-year apprenticeship, come in a variety of styles for men and women including slim, single-breasted and double-breasted styles.

Google has also paid homage to Macintosh through its Arts & Culture section, offering a detailed look through photos at how the raincoat is made.