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Tears of the tree: the story of rubber: a modern marvel

By: Publication details: Oxford University Press 2005 OxfordDescription: xxx, 342 pISBN:
  • 9780198705000
  • 9780198567407
Subject(s): DDC classification:
  • 678.209 L6T3
Summary: Imagine a world without rubber - neither tyres for motoring or flying, nor bouncing balls for sports, neither seals for washing machines and dishwashers, nor medical gloves, no elastic! This unique book tells the fascinating story of four thousand years of rubber - from its significance in Mayan religious rituals and culture to its pivotal role in today's world. It is seen through the lives of the adventurers and scientists who promoted it, lusted after it, and eventually tamed it into the ubiquitous and crucial material of our lives today. At the same time, it includes the lives of those who caused the deaths of millions of natives in Africa and South America whilst seeking to satisfy the developing world's lust for this wonderful new material as well as their nemeses. As with any biography, this book considers old age, why rubber deteriorates and how the ravages of time may be ameliorated. In death, it deals with our current concern for the environment and various options for 'waste disposal'. For the majority of people, rubber is mostly an unknown history and even for those who think they know 'the truth' about rubber, this book may offer many surprises. https://global.oup.com/academic/product/tears-of-the-tree-9780198705000?q=Tears%20of%20the%20tree&lang=en&cc=in#
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Holdings
Item type Current library Item location Collection Shelving location Call number Status Date due Barcode
Books Vikram Sarabhai Library Rack 40-B / Slot 2313 (2nd Floor, East Wing) Non-fiction General Stacks 678.209 L6T3 (Browse shelf(Opens below)) Available 193633

Table of Contents:

1: The Mesoamericans and the 'all-American ball game'
2: Europe goes west
3: What's in a name?
4: The battles of the giants - Charles Goodyear
5: The battles of the giants - Thomas Hancock
6: Rubber goes east
7: The King and the Congo
8: Slaves to rubber
9: Competition!
10: The heavy mob
11: Chemicals and curatives
12: Padding or performance enhancer?
13: The rot sets in
14: Death and destruction
15: Timeline

Imagine a world without rubber - neither tyres for motoring or flying, nor bouncing balls for sports, neither seals for washing machines and dishwashers, nor medical gloves, no elastic!

This unique book tells the fascinating story of four thousand years of rubber - from its significance in Mayan religious rituals and culture to its pivotal role in today's world. It is seen through the lives of the adventurers and scientists who promoted it, lusted after it, and eventually tamed it into the ubiquitous and crucial material of our lives today. At the same time, it includes the lives of those who caused the deaths of millions of natives in Africa and South America whilst seeking to satisfy the developing world's lust for this wonderful new material as well as their nemeses.

As with any biography, this book considers old age, why rubber deteriorates and how the ravages of time may be ameliorated. In death, it deals with our current concern for the environment and various options for 'waste disposal'. For the majority of people, rubber is mostly an unknown history and even for those who think they know 'the truth' about rubber, this book may offer many surprises.

https://global.oup.com/academic/product/tears-of-the-tree-9780198705000?q=Tears%20of%20the%20tree&lang=en&cc=in#

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