230 GOODYEAR ON GUM-ELASTIC. 



confident that no greater improvement could be made in gum- 

 elastic than was wrought by the heating or vulcanizing, and 

 the acid gas processes ; and, as has been stated, relinquishing 

 the idea of becoming a manufacturer, he became the more 

 anxious to make such use of his opportunities as would enable 

 him to complete a system of the inventions in gum-elastic, so 

 that those persons who might in future assume to conduct the 

 manufacture under his improvements, would at least have a field 

 for extending a manufacture, in which they would not be exposed 

 to impediments in their progress from subsequent improvements 

 and patents by others, he having made it an invariable rule thus 

 far, to put them in possession of all subsequent improvements 

 of his own, upon the things licensed, without charge. 



It has been a prominent object with the writer, to make this 

 manufacture not only one of general utility, but of national in- 

 terest in his own, as well as in foreign countries ; and it has 

 always been the intention of the inventor to introduce his im- 

 provements into foreign countries, when completed ; the attempt 

 to introduce them prematurely would have been prejudicial to 

 his interests, and the completion of them in any other sphere 

 than that in which they were commenced, if not impossible, 

 would have been delayed longer than they have been by the 

 hindrances spoken of There was, therefore, no alternative for 

 the inventor, but to persevere in his course under the disadvan- 

 tages which have been stated. 



It is believed that the series of improvements in gum-elastic, 

 under consideration, are now so far completed, that when the 

 facts and advantages connected with them are fairly presented 

 and investigated by the public, the attention, skill and capital 

 which is necessary, will be appropriated to them, and that this 

 branch of business will be looked upon as an important and 

 staple branch of industry, in all civilized countries. 



The adaptation of gum-elastic, and many of the fabrics made 

 of it, to military, maritime and naval purposes, is remarked 

 upon in connection with the description of these articles. That 

 they are of great value for many of these uses, there can be no 



