Article: Did he or didn't he? 163 years later, discovery of vulcanization still in dispute.(books on Charles Goodyear (News))(Book Review)

Byline: Ernie Zielasko

The rubber industry may not have noticed, but more than six decades have passed since anyone has published a full-length biography of Charles Goodyear, whom historians credit for discovering vulcanization in 1839.

In 1939, chemist-turned-historian Ralph Wolfe wrote ``India Rubber Man, the Story of Charles Goodyear,'' to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the invention. A year later P.W. Barker, a U.S. Department of Commerce economist, wrote ``Charles Goodyear, Connecticut Yankee and Rubber Pioneer.''

Since then, nothing. Until now, that is.

This year two well-written biographies have appeared-``Noble Obsession: ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!