THINKER'S ALMANAC - December 29

Subject:  Creativity - Serendipity

Event: Birthday of inventor Charles Goodyear, 1800

 

I am not disposed to complain that I have planted and others have gathered the fruits. A man has cause for regret only when he sows and no one reaps. -Charles Goodyear

Today is the birthday of Charles Goodyear, the man who invented vulcanized rubber.  Born in Connecticut, Goodyear left home at 17, moving to Philadelphia to work in the hardware business.  Struggling with ill health and his finances, Goodyear eventually returned to Connecticut, and after visiting a store that sold rubber goods, he decided to go to work on how to make rubber less sticky and more durable and resilient.  Although he had no formal education in chemistry, Goodyear worked diligently and tirelessly to find a way to make rubber more effective and useful.  

In 1839, serendipity struck, giving Goodyear the breakthrough he was hoping for.  While working with a mixture of rubber and sulfur, he accidentally spilled some of the liquid onto a hot stove.  When the mixture hardened and Goodyear peeled it from the stove, he realized that it was still usable and that it was durable and elastic; it was also resistant to the extremes of both heat and cold.  The chance spill gave Goodyear the break he needed.  He soon perfected the process we know today as vulcanization of rubber, which he patented successfully on June 15, 1844.

Although the world benefited from applying vulcanization to a number of new products, specifically automobile tires, Goodyear, himself, did not go on to great success.  He continued to struggle with financial debts as well as with competitors who pirated his patent.  In 1860, Goodyear died, still in debt (1).

Challenge: Father and Mothers of Invention:  What is the best thing anyone has ever said about invention.  Do some research on quotations.  When you find one you like, write it down and explain why you think it gives interesting insight into invention and creativity.

Sources:

1- Ganesh, A.S. “Goodyear never did not have a good year.” The Hindu.com 17 June 2018.