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ABSTRACT
This paper is a bibliographic survey of the major sources of information about historical aspects of rubber and rubber products that appeared in the 20th century. These sources, primarily those in the English language, on various aspects of rubber history have been categorized according to whether the emphasis is on natural or synthetic rubber, general rubber history and processing, rubber organizations, and people and companies that have played an important role. A section on the history of tires is included.
I. INTRODUCTION
Perhaps no other substance has had as much historical information written about it as has rubber. From the early use of natural rubber in the pre-Columbian era and subsequent discovery, experimentation and development of rubber into an industry, to the synthesis of a substitute in the 20th century, there have been many aspects to the evolution of one of mankind's most important materials. As the 20th century draws to a close it seems appropriate to survey the sources that have appeared in the last 100 years that contain information about these aspects of the history of rubber. In the following sections, an overview is presented of sources of historical literature for both natural and synthetic rubber, general history and rubber processing. The contributions of rubber organizations to the science and technology of rubber are included, as well as the literature about the people and companies that have been part of this fascinating history.
II. GENERAL HISTORIES/RUBBER PROCESSING/RUBBER ORGANIZATIONS
At mid-century a history of the rubber industry appeared under the auspices of the Institution of the Rubber Industry. Thirty-five specialists in their particular fields contributed to the history of rubber goods manufacture. A chronology and an annotated bibliography of primary sources, periodicals and books about rubber history are included.1 A detailed, chronological account of important events in rubber history beginning in 1519 with the reports of games with rubber balls by Antonio de Herrera-Tordesillas, and ending in 1935 was published by India Rubber World.2 A systematic survey of early rubber chemistry appeared in 1923 which has many historical entries including a chronology and an index of early patients.3
Although it is a fictional account, "The Weeping Wood," published in 1943 accurately covers the major milestones in the history of natural...