'm 



12 CONTENTS, 



CHAPTER V. 



IIETHOD OF GATHERIKG THE NATIVE GUlI. 



The present method of gathering gum-elastic objectionable. The smoking process unnecessary. 

 Exposure to the sun injurious. Disadvantage of impure admixtures in gathering to manufact- 

 ure. Virgin gum. Imported impure gums. The tropical regions yield an immense supply of 

 gum-elastic page 57 



CHAPTER YI. 



CLAIMS OE THE AUTHOR AS INVENTOR 



Sheet India rubber. Peculiarities of the invention. Laminated fabrics of cotton and gum. Com- 

 mencement of the manufacture. The author's reasons for patenting his improvements. The 

 process of solarization. An extract from Percival. Awardsgiven to the Inventor. Certificates. 

 Copy of original specification of patent, 1844, as legally prepared in 1841. The process patented 

 in England, in 1814. Synoptical statement on the author's claim to his inventions p. 67 



CHAPTER VII. 



EIPEEIIIENTS OF THE INVENTOR, 



Influences which led the author to the discovery of his invention. Some particulars of the au- 

 thor's personal history ; his apprenticeship. Commences in the domestic hardware and com- 

 mission business. Visits the store of the Roxbury India Rubber Company in New York. 

 Commences the manufacture of India rubber goods at New Haven. Meets with difficulties. 

 Removes to New York, and continues his experiments. The acid gas process. Obtains a 

 patent. The new articles are introduced into England by Dr. Bradshaw, and a patent taken out 

 in that country by Mr. Hancock. Visits Roxbury, and prosecutes his labors with more success. 

 Grants licenses. Experiments with sulphur. Result of an experiment. Embarrassments of 

 the author. Discovery of vulcanizing. Results of previous failures. Difficulties to encounter. 

 Incidents attending the discovery. First successful operation p. 91 



CHAPTER VIII. 



NATURE OF THE DISCOVERY. 



The sole object sought after by numerous experimenters. The success of the author. The method 

 of vulcanizing. Remarkable and very useful properties developed by the process. Availability 

 and supply of the raw material p. 131 



CHAPTER IX. 



GOODTEAR'S HEATED OR VULCANIZED DfDIA RUBBER. 

 Characteristics of the native gum. Goodyear's heated or vulcanized India rubber ; its elasticity ; 

 pliability ; durability ; insolubility ; unalterability ; inadhesiveness ; impermeability ; plasticity ; 

 facility of printing, and of being ornamented by painting, bronzing, gilding, japanning, and mix- 

 ing with colors; non-electric property; odor. Test of vulcanized and unvulcanized gum- 

 elastic p. 137 



