Re: [Leica] Pensees: so where does Vulcanite come from?

[John Collier <jbcollier@home.com>]

Here is the most complete explanation from the archives:

- ----------
From: Martin Howard <mvhoward@mac.com>
Reply-To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2000 22:03:59 -0500
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Subject: Re: [Leica] M4 Reliability

Mike Durling wrote, in part:
>
> Speaking of Vulcanite, Its odd that my 32 year old M4's vulcanite is
> chipping badly while that on my 46 year old IIIF is like new.
> 

Not really.  You see, the vulcanite of the earlier, LTM cameras, was
actually furnished from the inner layer of the bark of a rare tree that
grows in the German Black Forest.  It would be collected by young virgins,
selected for their delicate fingers and only harvested between 4:30 and 5:15
AM, when the dew ensured that the humidity was such that the material
wouldn't be harmed.

Then followed an arduous process of curing the material, followed by
imprinting of the characteristic vulcanite pattern, which is actually
achieved through meticulous hammering with small, ivory hammers by elderly,
experienced craftsmen, selected for their delicate white hair.  If you look
carefully, you'll notice that the pattern of each camera is different,
because each craftsmen had to spend their apprenticeship manufacturing their
own hammer -- a process that reliable sources (which I'm unfortunately
unable to name) tell me took no less than 12 years for the person of average
dexterity.

Of course, now-a-days, the whole process is ISO 9001 and Y2K certified and
the vulcanite is actually an artificially produced material.  The old stuff
needed some attention, and Leica shops around the world would ensure that
there would be a qualified white-haired gentlemen with a small vial of
mountain dew on hand, to coat the vulcanite when the camera was handed in
for service.  But then the depletion of the ozone layer and increased labour
costs meant that collecting the mountain dew became too expensive, and the
modern stuff just needs to be wiped clean with a pair of Ted's drawers if
exposed to sea water, but otherwise is fine.

Yep.  They don't build 'em like they used to...

M.

- -- 
Martin Howard                     | "Very funny Scotty.  Now beam down
Interactive Systems Designer      | my clothes."
email: mvhoward@mac.com           |
www: http://mvhoward.i.am/        +---------------------------------------