Dunlopera, the works and workings of the dunlop rubber company

Paul Jennings

Privately Published London 1961, hardcover, illustrated.


Foreword

This is a book about the way one company functions as seen through the eyes of an interested, but independent observer. In the brief to Mr Jennings it was suggested that his explanation of the workings of the Company should meet the needs of 'an intelligent Martian', at the time a somewhat fanciful reference which has become less fanciful with the passage of every month. In any event, to people outside the firm, whether Martian or otherwise, we extend a welcome as the doors of Dunlop open before them.

But the book is also intended for the Company's employees. They are expected to know rather more about the business than cosmic observers, but even for them, with their particular knowledge of some part, the whole may occasionally seem bewilderingly remote. We hope that Mr Jennings' impression of us will add something to the understanding and pleasure of the people who serve the Company.

The book, however, is not a vademecum of facts and figures that the Dunloptocus - a Jennings word - might be expected to have at the tip of every tentacle. Yet it does set out to describe much that is fundamental to the progress of the firm. The reader who wishes to know how a tyre is made - or a hot-water bottle for that matter­will find an account here. But the reader should be warned that this is not a simplified version of the book of the film. It contains, among many other things, serious descriptions of Dunlop processes by a keen student of industrial affairs who also happens to be a distin­guished humorist.

So the explanation of how a tyre is made - to take an example - ­requires some concentration on the part of the reader; and that is as .......................................