Synopsis

The story of rubber extends far beyond tires, toys, gloves, and gum; it is woven into the fabric of modern life, appearing in unexpected places—from the controversial O-rings on the Challenger space shuttle to the seals used in hydrogen fuel cells. A vast global synthetic rubber industry now produces specialized elastomers for cutting-edge technologies, while China’s swift industrial growth continues to disrupt the world's supply of natural rubber. From the ancient Olmecs of Yucatán, who underst