Rubber Bands By: Kaelyn Harris

Introduction Stephen Perry invented the first rubber band. He patented it on March 17, In other parts of the world, people call rubber bands laggy bands, lacka bands, and gumbands. One of the first uses of rubber was when the ancient Mayans used the sap from a rubber tree to attach their axe heads to wooden handles.

Background of Stephen Perry He owned a rubber manufacturing plant called Messers Perry and Company in London, England in the 1800’s. He got the idea for rubber bands from Thomas Hancock, who invented a machine that shredded rubber. He used Charles Goodyear’s invention of vulcanized rubber to make rubber bands.

Explanation of the rubber band A rubber band is a piece of rubber formed in shape of a loop. It can stretch and then return to it’s original size. It is used to hold things together. It is made of vulcanized rubber, which is a strong rubber.

What problem led to the rubber band? Before Stephen Perry, Thomas Hancock used rubber to make waistbands for pants and used it in gloves, shoes, and suspenders. Stephen Perry’s company needed something to hold together papers and envelopes.

How does it make life better for me or others? Kaelyn says: “Girls can hold their hair up in it” “The Post Office is the biggest buyer of rubber bands in the country. They use them to sort mail” “They are good at holding posters together”

What did I learn about rubber bands? I learned that the Post Office is the biggest buyer of rubber bands. Stephen Perry got his idea from Thomas Hancock. He got his patent from Australia. You can make a really big ball out of rubber bands.