Rubber is a material that is all around us, and yet most of us know very little about it. Rubber is a natural product that is found as latex in tree saps, and has been used in various industries for ages now. This article will explore the brief history of rubber, as well as how it has impacted modern life.

History Of Rubber 

Rubber was discovered by the indigenous people of South America who used it to make a variety of items, including balls and shoes. Certain trees contain natural rubber latex, which is a milky sap that can be collected and used to create products. In the 1600s, Europeans learned about rubber and began experimenting with it. Charles Marie de La Condamine, a French explorer, is credited with introducing rubber to Europe after he brought back samples from South America.

During the 1800s, rubber became an important material for a variety of products, including tires, hoses, and raincoats. It wasn’t until 1839 that vulcanization was discovered by Charles Goodyear, which is a process that strengthens rubber and makes it more durable. This discovery made rubber an even more versatile material that could be used for an even wider variety of products. 

Modern Uses For Rubber

The natural form of rubber has been used for many things. All of these modern uses have made everyone’s lives better in some way. It’s been used in various industries and doesn’t show signs of stopping. Its flexibility allows for it to be used in many different ways. Here are the most common ways it impacts modern life. 

Tires

The automotive industry has probably benefited most from the invention of synthetic rubber. Tires are made from natural and synthetic rubber. The first tires were made of natural rubber, which is derived from the latex sap of certain trees. The major disadvantage of it is that it deteriorates quickly in warm weather and becomes brittle in cold weather.

Nowadays, you can’t imagine your life without cars or other forms of land transportation. Tires are an essential part of every land vehicle, from bicycles to buses. They provide a cushioning effect that makes riding on bumpy roads much more comfortable. tires also play an important role in the safety of vehicles.

Chewing Gum

Everyone loves taking a big wad of chewing gum out of their pocket and popping it in their mouth. But have you ever wondered where chewing gum comes from? It might surprise you to know that chewing gum is actually made from a natural substance called latex. 

Latex is a sticky fluid that comes from certain types of trees, and it’s been used for centuries to make all sorts of things like rubber bands and tires. In fact, chewing gum as we know it was first invented by the ancient Greeks!

Latex is also the main ingredient in modern chewing gum. Most chewing gum is made from a type of latex called chicle, which comes from the sapodilla tree. 

Adhesives 

It’s no secret that adhesives make the world go round. They are in everything from the shoes we wear to the phones we use. But did you know that adhesives are also a big part of how natural rubber impacts modern life?

Natural rubber is a key ingredient in many adhesives, and it’s used in everything from construction to electronics. In fact, it’s one of the most versatile adhesives out there. And because it’s so strong and durable, it’s perfect for applications where other adhesives just wouldn’t cut it.

Medical Devices 

This material is great for various medical devices. These are the following:

• Tourniquets 
• Rubber tubing 
• Syringes 
• Catheters 
• Rubber bands 
• Gloves 
• Diaphragms 

All these have advanced medical care and have helped to save many lives. They are also comfortable to wear and use. Natural rubber is an essential material in medical devices and will continue to be so in the future.

For example, procedures without orthodontic rubber bands cannot be imagined nowadays because they are used in almost every medical intervention. They are very handy, cheap, and easy-to-use medical devices that make our lives much easier.

Footwear 

When the rainy season arrives, rubber boots come out of the closet in many households. Natural rubber is key to footwear that can keep us dry during wet weather. It’s also a part of many other types of footwear, including sneakers and flip-flops. You might not think about it when you slip on your shoes or sandals, but natural rubber has a long history dating back to the Olmec civilization in Mesoamerica. 

The use of rubber for footwear became popular in Europe and North America in the 1800s. In 1839, Charles Goodyear discovered how to vulcanize rubber, which made it more durable and resistant to extreme temperatures. This process was key to the mass production of footwear made from natural rubber. 

Insulation

Rubber can help in both thermal insulation and waterproofing. Thermal insulation is the reduction of heat transfer between objects in thermal contact or in the range of radiant heat flux. Waterproofing is the process of making an object or structure waterproof or water-resistant so that it remains relatively unaffected by water or resists the ingress of water under specified conditions. 

There are many types of insulation, but rubber insulation is a great way to reduce energy consumption in your home. It works by trapping air and slowing down the movement of heat. This means that your home will stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter, which can save you money on your energy bills. 

Flooring 

Rubber flooring tiles are used in many commercial and residential applications. It has many benefits over other flooring materials. Rubber flooring is slip-resistant, which makes it ideal for areas that may get wet or oily. It’s also comfortable to stand on and is easy to clean.

Natural rubber flooring is made from the sap of the Hevea brasiliensis tree, which is native to South America. The sap is harvested and then processed into rubber flooring tiles. Rubber flooring is a sustainable flooring option because it’s made from a renewable resource. 

Rubber is one of the most useful materials as it’s applied in tons of industries making your everyday life better. Since it was discovered, it has helped advance the automotive industry and given you chewing gum. It’s also very useful for adhesives and medicine. Rubber footwear has been used as great protection from moisture for a long time and you can even use it for insulation and waterproofing. Finally, you can make rubber floor tiles keeping premises safer!