186 GOODYEAR ON GUM-ELASTIC. 



CAOUTCHOUC CLOTHS. 



These are made of thread spun from the elastic compound, 

 and woven into cloth. Only a few yards of this fabric, as spe- 

 cimens, have yet been made. The first yard was woven in a 

 hand loom in 1841. Machinery is yet to be constructed to spin 

 and weave it to advantage. To speak of its utility would be 

 premature, until facts that are obvious to the mind of the inventor 

 shall be demonstrated to the satisfaction of others. It is porous 

 like other woven cloths ; it therefore would not, like other India 

 rubber fabrics, be objectionable for wearing apparel, on account 

 of confining the perspiration of the body. Although it would 

 not, like them, be water-proof, yet it would shed rain much bet- 

 ter than fibrous cloths of cotton or wool. Its great recommen- 

 dation would be durability, economy and cleanliness. The opin- 

 ion is entertained that fabrics of this sort will ultimately be made 

 to advantage, in imitation of camblets and the coarser kinds of 

 silk, similar to the specimens which have already been produced. 

 The same general remarks may apply to this fabric that have 

 been made relating to porous fabrics, although they would differ 

 from them in two particulars — the caoutchouc cloths would be 

 more cloth-like in appearance, but more expensive than the 

 porous fabrics. 



