Talk:Linoleum

Linoleum article useful, but incomplete. Your readers should know that linseed oil, a basic component of linoleum, has many salubrious and ergonomically beneficial properties. It has natural germicidal attributes that kill 97% of staphyllocous germs within twenty four hours. It has natural anti-static properies that make it preferred material for desk pads and flooring for use around computers and other sensitive electronic equipment. I believe linseed oil is similar (if not the same) as the currently popular omega fish oils, that when ingested, provide certain cardiac and anti-carcinogenic benefits to humans.

It is also an Earth Smart(tm) "environmentally friendly" product (in the generally accepted definition of the term) in that it is made from naturally occuring raw materials and processed simply at at ordinary temperatures (except for the final stage curing into a flooring/desk covering sheet), not mined from the ground and refined as a depleting carbon-based natural resource (like petroleum originated vinyl). It will decompose in land fills in a much shorter period than vinyl, and when burned, is less noxious than vinyl. It has not been linked to "sick building" syndrome, or other conditions associated with wall and flooring materials of a more synthetic nature.

(Sources, include literature from Forbo-Krommenie, Europe's largest producer of genuine linoleum. Also, from my own experience as an executive and creator of industry's best and most popular writing and work surfaces and desk pads with our 80 family, manufacturing company, Artistic Office Products, Bronx, NY.)

Hmm, it's comforting to know that if I decide to eat my linoleum floorcovering, providing it doesn't puncture my intestines, it will give me some protection against heart attacks and cancer. Richerman (talk) 11:00, 24 February 2013 (UTC)Reply

The last remaining lino producer in Kirkcaldy is benefiting from reports that lino helps to combat the spread of MRSA. See this Times article for details. Loganberry (Talk) 01:33, 29 July 2005 (UTC)Reply

Shouldn't there be a photograph of a real linoleum floor instead of just fake linoleum? Hbhiggens 04:26, 20 August 2006 (UTC)Reply

Definitely. Removed this one, having an image of an imitation here is no good. Femto 12:21, 20 August 2006 (UTC)Reply

I have heard that, although linoleum was a commercial name and protected as a trademark, that this was lifted [by who?] because there was no other available term to use as a generic name for hardened linseed and pulp floor covering. For the experts - is there an origin for the term or does it simply refer to use as a floor lining? Many thanks. Denis

The word 'linoleum' comes from its major ingredient - lin (from linseed) and the latin 'oleum' for oil.

'linum' is flax. Either way, the original inventor (Walton) formed the Linoleum Manuf. Co. in 1864. When the patents expired he attempted to sue (ca. 1878) in a trademark case. It was decided against him though because the term had become generic (Linoloeum Manufacturing Company v. Nairn, 7 Ch. D. 834). There is a great deal of history at this link [1] 24.58.134.56 08:15, 12 February 2007 (UTC)Reply

The current 'Linoleum' article (Oct 2007) states that the Scottish town of Kirkcaldy "became the largest producer of linoleum in the world, with no fewer than six floorcloth manufacturers in the town". The term 'floorcloth' was commonly used in the nineteenth and early twentieth century to refer to 'oilcloth', a different type of hard floor covering. In other words, linoleum is not floorcloth, and if there were six floorcloth manufacturers in Kirkcaldy this means that there were six oilcloth makers. Kircaldy did indeed become a centre for linoleum manufacture but it is important not to confuse floorcloth and oilcloth with linoleum. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 202.138.213.90 (talk) 00:00, 25 October 2007 (UTC)Reply

There's various public signs in Kirkcaldy paying tribute to Linouleum's role there, that claim it was invented there in 1840s.

For example, this sign in Kirkcaldy train station http://i2.photoblog.com/photos2/53340-1203775481-0-l.jpg which states "Michael Nairn began making floorcloth in Kirkcaldy in 1847 and in 1878 began the manufacture of linoleum for which town and its sweet smell became famous." —Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.192.81.216 (talk) 14:17, 23 February 2008 (UTC)Reply

There is a lot of information on the Forbo Nairn page. I think it is something different (linen floor clothes) being made in 1847 as the history and sign states, with linoleum arriving to the town in the 1870s. Link >

http://www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/Default.aspx?MenuId=1008

"Noticing that the sails were painted then laid to protect decking, he adopted the process using a linen backing, producing his first floorcloth in 1847 in a factory in Scotland.

Appreciating the shortcoming of floorcloth in terms of wear and its manufacturing process, Nairn began linoleum production on a large scale following the expiry of its inventor Frederick Waltons 1863 patent. Accurately judging linoleum as a superior product, Nairn adopted the new technology with a will in 1877."

--Revolt (talk) 12:29, 15 March 2008 (UTC)Reply

Frederick Watson was the inventor of linoleum and nobody was allowed to use the "magic word" until 1860. This was because the product patent ran out (purely because Watson had forgotten to renew the copyright). prior to the production of linoleum, Michael Nairn (founder of Nairn's) built a factory on Pathhead Sands (now part of Kirkcaldy) in 1847 to make floorcloth (as the market for sailcloth was dying). actual production of linoleum did not begin in the town (Kirkcaldy) until 1877 by the Scottish Floorcloth Factory (later Barry, Ostlere and Shepherd). Nairn's later became the dominant force in linoleum. Kilnburn (talk) 02:13, 12 July 2009 (UTC)Reply

Removed link to http://www.diy-extra.com/ because of 404 error --Johnlumgair (talk) 03:39, 19 February 2009 (UTC)Reply

I was wondering if Marmoleum redirects to this page, why is there no mention of Marmoleum on the page and how it relates to Linoleum? 198.45.19.96 (talk) 13:55, 2 December 2010 (UTC)Reply

Marmoleum is just a brand name for linoleum manufactured by the Forbo company. Salmanazar (talk) 23:04, 2 December 2010 (UTC)Reply

The name Marmoleum is confusing, as it redirects to the linoleum page with no explanation. (Salmanazar's explanation above does it well.) I've added a single sentence to the content page defining Marmoleum as a specific brand name, with a citation to an article about it. I've had problems in the past where I incorrectly cited commerical references; I'm hoping that because I made no reference to Forbo or the website that I've finally got it right. This question, and the existence of the redirect, would certainly seem to suggest that Marmoleum be addressed on this page in some way. SeparateWays (talk) 12:04, 21 December 2010 (UTC)Reply

What about a list of products loosing trademark protection? Tabletop (talk) 06:57, 21 May 2011 (UTC)Reply

Would List of generic and genericized trademarks fit the bill? Salmanazar (talk) 13:41, 21 May 2011 (UTC)Reply

Much of this article, especially in sections on production, is written in past tense. Why is this, when production still happens today? 77.162.73.53 (talk) 00:49, 4 September 2013 (UTC)Reply

All the text about the history and development is in the past tense and anything about the present day is in the present tense. There is nothing about how it is made today - if there was it would be in the present tense. Richerman (talk) 07:47, 4 September 2013 (UTC)Reply

Linoleum also has a place in the history of printing. The introduction of linocut caused a surge in illustrations in books and periodicals. 71.210.185.206 (talk) 15:45, 24 February 2023 (UTC)Reply