In the early 1800s, making rubber from the tree sap of rubber trees was mostly just a curiosity. After much experimentation, though, in 1823 George Macintosh developed a way to impregnate the rubber into clothing material.
In the early 1800s, making rubber from the tree sap of rubber trees was mostly just a curiosity. After much experimentation, though, in 1823 George Macintosh developed a way to impregnate the rubber into clothing material. Thus the first water proof clothing was developed. Not long afterwards, in 1839, Charles Goodyear developed a way to vulcanize rubber and this allowed rubber to be formed into larger components. The creation of rubber products exploded soon thereafter. Today making rubber products from rubber tree sap is still done and the result is called “natural rubber.” However, as useful as natural rubber is, there wasn’t enough to meet demand. Other scientists, then, developed a substitute in the early 1900s and now virtually all rubber made from petroleum. In most ways, it is superior to the natural variety and is much less expensive.
Funny thing is that sometimes Mother Nature still knows best. Despite the majority of today’s tires being made out of synthetic rubber, a natural organic product is still used. Ready for this? Yokohama, the tire company, is adding the oil from orange peels to the rubber in some of its tires.
Why orange peel oil? Here’s the story: Tire manufacturers are forever in search of the best rubber compoun