Who introduced the first practical waterproof fabric that led to the production of raincoats?

Introduction / Context:
This question concerns the invention of waterproof fabrics used to make raincoats and similar garments. Waterproof clothing has had a major impact on everyday life in rainy climates, and one of the earliest successful methods for creating such fabric is associated with Charles Macintosh. Recognising this name helps candidates answer questions on inventions and their practical applications.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is on waterproof fabric that made raincoats possible.
• The options list James Dewar, Charles Goodyear, Mary Moore and Charles Macintosh.
• The question asks who invented or introduced this type of fabric.
• Standard general knowledge about inventions is assumed.

Concept / Approach:
Charles Macintosh was a Scottish chemist who discovered that a solution of rubber in coal tar naphtha could be used to bond two layers of cloth, producing a waterproof material. This fabric became the basis for early raincoats, which in some places are still called macs or mackintoshes in his honour. James Dewar is known for the Dewar flask used in cryogenic experiments. Charles Goodyear discovered the process of vulcanising rubber, which is important in tire manufacturing. Mary Moore is not widely linked to this invention in common exam references. Hence, Charles Macintosh is the correct choice.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the word mackintosh in British English often refers to a waterproof coat. Step 2: Connect this everyday term with the surname Macintosh of the chemist who invented waterproof fabric. Step 3: Compare the names in the options with this recollection. Step 4: Notice that Charles Macintosh appears exactly as one of the options. Step 5: Recognise that James Dewar is associated with low temperature physics and insulated flasks. Step 6: Understand that Charles Goodyear worked on vulcanised rubber, a different process, and that Mary Moore is not usually cited in standard references for this invention. Therefore, select Charles Macintosh.

Verification / Alternative check:
A quick way to verify is to remember the cultural link between the term mackintosh and raincoat. This linguistic clue strongly points to the inventor's surname. Additionally, Goodyear is mainly linked with tires and the rubber industry, as seen in the Goodyear tire company name, not with cloth bonding. Dewar flasks are used in laboratories for liquid nitrogen and similar substances, which confirms that Dewar worked in a different area of science.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
James Dewar contributed to cryogenics and invented the Dewar flask but did not create waterproof fabric. Charles Goodyear discovered vulcanisation of rubber, improving its strength and elasticity, yet his work was not specifically about bonding rubber and cloth to make raincoats. Mary Moore does not correspond to the widely recognised inventor of waterproof fabrics in standard exam material. Therefore, none of these options matches the discovery described in the question.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates confuse different rubber related inventions and assume that Goodyear, a familiar name from tire branding, must also be responsible for waterproof cloth. Others may not notice the linguistic connection between Macintosh and mackintosh coats. To avoid mistakes, it is useful to build small clusters of knowledge, associating Goodyear with tires, Dewar with flasks and Macintosh with raincoats and waterproof fabrics.

Final Answer:
The inventor who introduced the first practical waterproof fabric used for raincoats is Charles Macintosh.