The Fantastic Journey of Rubber
Natural rubber plays a crucial and irreplaceable role in the production of tyres. It is ductile, elastic, waterproof, durable, and insulating... rubber has a truly wide range of useful properties! But many people don’t realise that this valuable material is derived from the bark of a tree. So, how is rubber extracted, and how many things can we make with it? Who first discovered the unique qualities of this renewable and biodegradable material? And how can we use rubber in today’s world, in a way that respects both the environment and the people involved in its production? We’ll embark on an incredible journey together, tracing the path of rubber from the forests of Central America to the vast plantations in Asia, and then on to England and finally to Italy. Here we’ll find a young, visionary engineer who, in 1872, founded Italy’s first rubber goods factory. This is a journey through time and across continents, filled with adventure and amazing discoveries.
The session will be held online via Microsoft Teams and is open to a maximum of two classes at a time.