How did serendipity lead to the invention of vulcanized rubber?
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.
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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).
Recall, Retrieve, Recite, Ruminate, Reflect, Reason: How did serendipity assist Goodyear in inventing vulcanization?
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.
ALSO ON THIS DAY:
December 29, 1891: Today is the birthday of Joyce C. Hall (1891-1982), the founder of Hallmark Cards. Joyce grew up in Nebraska and his first job was selling perfume door-to door. At 16, he and his two brothers pooled their money to open the Norfolk Post Card Company. Later in 1910, seeking better business opportunities, he moved to Kansas City, Missouri where he opened a card and gift shop. When fire destroyed his entire inventory in 1915, he transformed tragedy into opportunity by taking out a loan and buying an engraving firm. This set the stage for the creation of his first original greeting card designs. Still based in Kansas City, Joyce built Hallmark into a national company, pioneering the card-plus-envelope greeting cards we see today, which replaced postcards. He also pioneered the way cards were merchandised in stores by taking them out of drawers and placing them in eye-catching displays. To further promote his company and make Hallmark the most recognizable name in the industry, Joyce began sponsoring television programs, beginning with a live Christmas Eve production of Amahl and the Night Visitors in 1951. That first program set the stage for the long running primetime television series, the Hallmark Hall of Fame (2).
-December 29, 1566: On this day, Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe had part of his nose sliced off in a sword duel. While attending an engagement party, Tycho got into an argument with his third cousin Manderup Parsberg over who was the superior mathematician. In addition to losing part of his nose, Tycho also suffered a long scar on his forehead. For the rest of his life, Tycho wore a brass prosthetic nose which he kept in place with glue. Although he did lose the dual, history certainly recognizes him as the superior mathematician.
Sources:
1- Ganesh, A.S. “Goodyear never did not have a good year.” The Hindu.com 17 June 2018.
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