Colebrook, N.H.—Inventor and pioneer in safety and rubber products Neil E. Tillotson died in this rural town on Oct. 24. He was 102.

In a career that lasted well into his 90's, Tillotson invented the first latex toy balloon and later, latex examination gloves. His love of research and problem solving led him to continue working on synthetic and natural rubber processes in many companies he owned from 1915 until the last decade.

Tillotson founded Best Manufacturing Co. in 1951 to produce rubber-coated gloves. At 93, still in research and leading a team developing synthetic gloves, he won a patent for the first nitrile examination glove.

"What drove him was his love for tinkering and engineering," said Mark Wheeler, director of marketing at Menlo, Ga.-based Best Manufacturing. "It guided all his businesses." Tillotson owned, among others, Tillotson Rubber Co., which became Tillotson Corp. and included Heveatex, Borden Chemicals and Remington Chemicals.

At 90, he developed a nitrile exam glove that solved so many problems associated with latex which can cause allergic reactions.

Tillotson was an adventurer, searching the jungles of Colombia for rubber during World War II, according to obituaries. He served in the cavalry in World War I. His inventiveness led to breakthroughs in manufacturing of rubber products, starting with the first shaped latex balloon.

"It became famous, of course, when it grew ears. Disney's Mickey Mouse balloon was contracted from Tillotson," Wheeler said. "Even in his 90's, he was not a token member of the research team. He led it."