Tears of the Tree: The Story of Rubber - A Modern Marvel

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John Loadman (Head of Materials Characterization (Retired), Head of Materials Characterization (Retired), Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre, Hertford, UK)

Tears of the Tree

The Story of Rubber - A Modern Marvel

John Loadman (Head of Materials Characterization (Retired), Head of Materials Characterization (Retired), Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre, Hertford, UK)

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English

Oxford University Press
01 July 2005

History of science; Popular science; Rubber technology; Materials science

Imagine a world without rubber - neither tyres for motoring or flying, nor bouncing balls for sports, neither seals for washing machines and dishwashers, nor medical gloves - no elastics. This unique book tells the fascinating story of four thousand years of rubber - from its significance in Mayan religious rituals and culture to its pivotal role in today's world. It is seen through the lives of the adventurers and scientists who promoted it, lusted after it and eventually tamed it into the ubiquitous, yet crucial material of our lives today. It also examines the lives of those who caused the deaths of millions of natives in Africa and South America whilst seeking to satisfy the developing world's demand for this wonderful new material as well as their nemeses.

Written in a biographical format, the book examines why rubber ages and deteriorates and how the ravages of time may be ameliorated. It deals with our current concern for the environment and various options for 'waste disposal'. For the majority of people, rubber is mostly an unknown history and even for those who think they know 'the truth' about rubber, this book may offer many surprises.

By: John Loadman (Head of Materials Characterization (Retired) Head of Materials Characterization (Retired) Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre Hertford UK)
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 224mm, Width: 145mm, Spine: 24mm
Weight: 1g
ISBN: 9780198568407
ISBN 10: 0198568401
Pages: 356
Publication Date: 01 July 2005
Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , A / AS level , Further / Higher Education
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

1: The Mesoamericans and the 'All American Ball Game' 2: Europe goes West 3: What's in a name? 4: The battles of the giants - Charles Goodyear 5: The battles of the giants - Thomas Hancock 6: Rubber goes East 7: The king and the Congo 8: Slaves to rubber 9: Competition! 10: The heavy mob 11: Chemicals and curatives 12: Padding or performance enhancer 13: The rot sets in 14: Death and destruction 15: Timeline

John Loadman began his working career as an analytical chemist with the Natural Rubber Producers' Research Association (now Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre or TARRC, Hertford, UK) in 1967, having obtained a Master's degree in Organic Chemistry from the University of Durham. He continued in that area of work through to retirement in 1999, having reached the position of Head of the Materials Characterization Group.

Reviews for Tears of the Tree: The Story of Rubber - A Modern Marvel

. .. a brilliant, really wonderful and unique book. ... exceptionally interesting to people who know nothing of the technical aspects of the subject. --Mark M. Green, Polytechnic University, Brooklyn, NY During his career as an analytical chemist in the rubber industry, Loadman was often asked by museums and art galleries to help identify and conserve old rubber items. His interest in the history of rubber grew, and gradually encompassed the health, safety, and environmental concerns of natural and synthetic rubbers. Here he offers a history of rubber from its first use in Mesoamerica about 1600 BC to the present. --SciTech Book News