Tyne Folding Boats
of Kew Foot Road, Richmond, Surrey. Telephone: Richmond 4494
1933 F. O. D. Hirschfeld arrived in Britain, having fled from Germany, and was given permission to stay on the condition that he started a business.
He started Tyne Folding Boats, making kayaks with collapsible wooden frames and canvas skins which could literally be packed into a couple of bags and carried on the train.
1936 Joined the Canoe Camping Club and caused something of a sensation with the then little known Eskimo roll.
1939 He was briefly interned as an enemy alien at the outbreak of war, but was quickly released, and joined the club in 1944.
With few people owning cars, and petrol scarce, his folding kayaks were the best way of getting afloat. His demonstrations of the Eskimo roll at Richmond baths undoubtedly contributed to the early success of the Richmond Canoe Club.
1947 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Manufacturers of a comprehensive range of Single and Two-Seater Folding Canoes, easily erected, and packing into two bags. Constructed from five-ply rubberised canvas on a framework of selected ash. (Olympia, 1st Floor, Stand No. H.2122) [1]