Charles Goodyear discovers the vulcanization process for…
1839 CE
Charles Goodyear discovers the vulcanization process for rubber when accidentally spills sulfur into a pot of simmering rubber, having spent nearly a decade in a quest to improve the qualities of Brazilian gum rubber, which turns sticky when hot and brittle when cold.
Although Goodyear is often credited with its invention, modern evidence has proven that the Mesoamericans used stabilized rubber for balls and other objects as early as 1600 BCE.
The inventor himself admits that the discovery of the vulcanizing process was not the direct result of the scientific method, but claims that it was not accidental: rather, it was the result of application and observation.
Named after Vulcan, Roman god of fire, it is a chemical process in which polymer molecules are linked to other polymer molecules by atomic bridges composed of sulfur atoms or carbon to carbon bonds.
The result is that the springy rubber molecules become cross-linked to a greater or lesser extent.
This makes the bulk material harder, much more durable, and more resistant to chemical attack.
It also makes the surface of the material smoother and prevents it from sticking to metal or plastic chemical catalysts.
This heavily cross-linked polymer has strong covalent bonds, with strong forces between the chains, and is therefore an insoluble and infusible, thermosetting polymer.
Today, vulcanized rubber is used to make a vast array of products, including hockey pucks, tires, shoe soles, hoses and many more.
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