††Rubber is a natural material made from the milky sap, or latex of certain tropical trees. Rubber is an elastic, waterproof material that does not conduct electricity.
Rubber first came to Europe in 1736, brought from Peru by Charles de Lacondamine. In 1839 Charles Goodyear invented a technique for hardening rubber, called vulcanising. The first air-filled tyre was introduced by John Dunlop in 1888. In the 20th century, world production of rubber has increased one hundred fold. During World War 2, when the Japanese invaded the rubber-producing areas of south-east Asia, the production of synthetic rubber was stimulated elsewhere in the world. Synthetic rubber is made from oil, gas and coal. It is cheaper than natural rubber and is widely used for making tyres, shoe soles, hoses and latex foam.
