I used to think I was alone in this.If I remember correctly I started wearing some kind of hand protection way back around the late 70's ( liquid glove or something) when I really got into bending wrenches. Then when I went to school to get my FAA A&P license ( A & P ) I went to the rubber gloves while working on turbines etc. I never stopped even working at home on my own stuff.
You run for the phone and realize your hands are covered in grease and you know the little woman will ring your neck if you make a mess sooooo.
That said I agree that our knowledge of the various chemicals we are exposed to have probably gotten more people into it. It also does not hurt that almost all of the programs on TV aimed at us knuckle busters have their hosts wearing gloves ( savvy marketing)

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