Things Made From Rubber

Even though most people believe that rubber's first uses appeared in 19th century Europe, scientists discovered that in 1600 B.C., ancient Mesoamericans added the juice from morning glory species Ipomoea alba to natural latex from the Castilla elastica tree to make rubber balls, elasticized bindings and hollow figurines.

The average household uses synthesized rubber in everything from elasticized bands in clothing and hair ties, to dishwashing gloves, toys, jar seals and tires. Starting at the welcome mat at the front door of a home, and moving to the garden hoses out back, people use hundreds of rubber products during their lives. Other household rubber items include boots, raincoats, pond liners, mattresses and cushions, pillows, grips on garden tools, bathtub plugs, doorstops, earplugs, hot water bottles, aquarium tubing, faucet washers and rug backings.

Despite the fact that 5 to 10 percent of all health care workers have allergic responses to natural latex rubber, it remains a staple material source for surgical tubing and gloves in labs and medical facilities. Nitril and Neoprene, brand-name formulas that represent synthetic rubbers, are used to make corks for lab flasks and vials, chemical-resistant mats and pads, birth-control devices, prosthetics and other specialized products and equipment.

People that have pets understand the value of unbreakable grooming, play and feeding objects. Rubber food and water bowls come in sizes for every pet from Chihuahuas to horses and you can buy a staggering array of chew toys and balls as well. On the practical side, foam rubber mattress pads, stall mats, elasticized vet wraps, flea collars, shed mitts and rubber combs are all rubber products to help your pets look and feel their best.

Both schools and office utilize rubber bands and pencil erasers — or rubbers — as the British call them. This name originated with the discovery that the elasticized substance rubbed out pencil marks. Other common rubber items found in schools and offices include mouse pads, keyboards, adhesives and rolling chair wheels. Anti-fatigue mats, carpet underlayment, headphone pads and rubber stamps represent some of the useful rubber items found in offices and schools.

It would not be summer without swimming rafts and inner tubes, rings and darts for toss games, basketballs, volleyballs, badminton shuttlecocks, tennis shoes, crocks and flip-flops or those foam beverage cozies used to keep drinks cool. Other recreational-related rubber items include inflatable beds for camping, playground tiles, rubber ducks, sportswear and scuba gear.