114 GOODYEAR ON GUM-ELASTIC. 



was, in fact, frequently cautioned by Mr. Hayward not to use it 

 in the crude state, because its effects were so powerful when used 

 in a minute quantity in the solvent. Mr. Chaffee had also tried 

 it while with the Roxbury Company, and the effects were not 

 deemed worthy of notice, either by that company or himself. 

 At that time, previous to the introduction of the acid gas and 

 vulcanizing process, the obnoxious odor of sulphur in the goods 

 was an effectual barrier to their reception in the market. 



Another effect yet more remarkable in the treatment of gum- 

 elastic, is that of the sun's rays upon it. When combined with 

 sulphur, and exposed to the action of the sun, either in hot 

 weather or cold, it becomes solarized, or divested of its adhesive 

 quality ; whereas no other kind of light or heat has any similar 

 effect, until the high degree of heat is applied to it, about 270°, 

 which is used in vulcanizing. 



By the sale of the licenses before referred to, the inventor 

 realized a few thousand dollars, which relieved him from his im- 

 mediate embarrassment. He had, beside, the prospect of being 

 well compensated for his past labors and trials, and was now 

 comfortably situated, with a pleasant home for his family. His 

 aged parents, and two younger brothers, all of whose fortunes 

 had continued to decline, at this time joined him. The preju- 

 dices of the public gave way, and his fortunes were altogether 

 in the ascendant. 



At this period he made many novel and useful applications of 

 this substance : among other fancy articles, he had newspapers 

 printed on the gum-elastic drapery ; and the improvement, with 

 its various applications, began to be highly appreciated. 



The merit of the improvement was, in some respects, over- 

 rated. It was supposed by others, as well as himself, that a 

 change was wrought throughout the mass of the goods acted 

 upon by the acid gas, and that the whole body of the article 

 was made better than the native gum. The surface of the goods 

 really was so; and is always superior, even to that of heated 

 or vulcanized. gum-elastic, with the application of this process. 

 The gum is not, however, changed far below the surface, but the 



