Vulcanized Rubber

Caoutchouc was the name for rubber used by the Indians of Central and South America.

Besides pencil erasers, rubber was used for many other products, however, the products were not standing up to extreme temperatures, becoming brittle in winter. During the 1830's, many inventors tried to develop a rubber product that could last year-round. Charles Goodyear was one of those inventors, whose experiments put Goodyear into debt and involved in several patent lawsuits.

In 1843, Charles Goodyear discovered that if you removed the sulphur from rubber then heated it, it would retain its elasticity. This process called vulcanization made rubber waterproof and winter-proof and opened the door for a enormous market for rubber goods.

On June 24, 1844, Charles Goodyear was granted patent #3,633 for vulcanized rubber.

A biography of Charles Goodyear that covers the early history, the vulcanization process, and how Charles Goodyear had to defend his patent.

• Rubber Bands - On March 17, 1845, the first rubber band was patented by Stephen Perry of London, made from vulcanized rubber. Perry owned the manufacturing company Messers Perry and Co., of London, England.
• Elastic Fabrics
• Eraser
• Heel
• Hose
• Rubber Soled Shoes
• Rubber Stamp Invention
• Balloons
• Tires
• Vulcanized Rubber