Where Does Rubber Come From
Rubber History
The history of rubber is quite fascinating. The stories of how rubber was discovered vary depending on who is telling the story. One story tells of a Mayas Indian woman who was walking through the rain forest gathering edibles when she came across a crying tree. She took a sample of the tears back to the tribe's chief who found the latex substance unique.
Maybe you have heard that Christopher Columbus was responsible for discovering rubber after visiting Haiti in the 1490's and watching the natives play with a bouncy ball. Or even better, how a French astronomer in 1736 was sent to Peru by his government and returned with samples of a white fluid consistency of honey.
Rubber In America
Though, these stories have great likelihood, the story with the most impact on rubber as we know it today is Charles Goodyear from Trenton, NJ. You may think Charles Goodyear was the founder of Goodyear Tire Company, but you would be incorrect. The company was named after Charles, but did not go into business until years after his death. Rather, Mr. Goodyear is considered the first inventor to vulcanize rubber.