SAUDI TURF TEAM Why 1839 is an essential date for rubber manufacturing ?

SAUDI TURF TEAM Why 1839 is an essential date for rubber manufacturing ?

Prior to 1839, the properties of rubber were dictated by the surrounding temperature. During the hot summer, rubber was sticky and malleable, while it became hard and brittle in the winter. This was finally remedied by the unexpected discovery of the process of vulcanisation.

 A 1839 winter evening, C. Goodyear dropped accidentally a mixture of rubber, white lead and sulphur upon a hot stove. When it was removed, the material was no longer affected by temperature. Despite stretching, it always returned to its original shape. 

This phenomenon was further called: "vulcanisation" in reference of the Roman god of fire and metallurgy. Thanks to this discovery, it became possible to use rubber in raincoats, overshoes, and many other products, including tyres.