Show 1 Discovery of Vulcanization Perhaps the biggest milestone Inthe inthe In Inthe the history of rubber was Charles Charlee Goodyears Goodyear's discovery of vulcanization vulcanization in 1839 1639 Up to then rubber products were highly impractical and completely unpredictable in service Usually the weather would have an adverse effect on them A raincoat for example would standup stand standup up by itself if It the weather turned cold Likewise a pair of boots left lett too near the fireplace would melt awaY away GO Goodyears Goodyear's discovery discovery discovery dis dis- covery came about w when h hen e n he learned that a mixture of ot rubber and sulphur when placed on the hot kitchen stove became charred like leather but remained flexible This curing gave great strength aswell as aswell well as resistance to to heat and cold and was called vulcanization after atter Vulcan Roman god of ot fire |