Goodyear, Charles (1800-1860), was an American inventor. He developed vulcanization, a method of making rubber strong and resistant to heat and cold.
Goodyear was born on Dec. 29, 1800, in New Haven, Connecticut. In 1832, he began experimenting with a crude form of rubber, called India rubber, to find a way to make the substance useful for manufacturing. India rubber becomes brittle when cold and sticky when hot. After many experiments, Goodyear learned that sulfur helps to make rubber less sticky. One day in 1839, Goodyear accidentally spilled a mixture of rubber and sulfur onto a hot stove. To his surprise, the mixture did not melt. Goodyear realized that heat is needed to cure (strengthen) a rubber-sulfur mixture. He spent five years improving this curing process. In 1844, he received the patent for it.
Goodyear licensed the process, later called vulcanization, to many people. But he failed to become wealthy. He spent all his money on unsuccessful businesses, costly experiments, and attempts to promote his process. He died a poor man on July 1, 1860.
