The native American., 1838-06-30
From the Philadelphia Public Ledger
WON RFUL DIS COVER

Mr.. Goodyear, of Boston, after long and ex-
pensive series of experiments, has discovered a
process by which gum elastic, or India Rubber, is
deprived Of color and odor, is not acted upon BY
oils, diluted acids, any Of the usual solvents Of
that substance, does not contract or expand with
variation Of temperature, and is not rendered ad-
hesive by heat Of 200 degrees Of Fahrenheits
thermometer.
This preparation may be applied to silk, linen,
cotton leather cordage or an, other fabric, with
out being perceptible; and when it is thus applied
to silks, or linens, the most beautiful articles may
be made of it, which can be cleaned merely by
weak solution Of vinegar, turpentine, or sulphu-
ric acid, applied to the gum elastic surface. 1t
be pressed into sheets, flexible as the softes,
cambric, and thin tissue paper, and in this
state is very useful for maps, charts, deeds, bank
notes, or any other important purpose to which
paper is applied; and such documents are per-
fcctly indestructible by moisture, sea water, or
any heat under 200 degrees. When thus rolled
into sheets, or laid upon cloth, it can be orna-
mented with gold or silver leaf, bronze of any
colorng matter, or embossed, and made into the
most beautiful fabrics for table or piano cloths,
shoes, dresses, book-bindng, or any thing to
which paper, or cloth, or leather can be applied
For several years past, our best chemists and
Professor Silliman among them, have been en-
deavorng to discover process for removing
odor, color and adhesveness from gum elastic;
these being the three principal objections agains,
the ordinary India Rubber cloth. Mr.. Good
year has not only gained these three points, but
another still more important; for he has deprived
it of expansion and contraction, and alteration in
degrees OF softness, by variation of temperature;
the great objection against common India Rub
ber cloth for cordage, fremen's dresses and shoes.
The brilliancy Of coloring or ornament once i'm
pressed upon il, is as durable as the fabric. The
carpets made Of it are beautiful, durable, and soft
to the feet.
We have seen several specimens of this prepa-
ration, both pure and impressed upon cotton,
brought from Boston by scientific gentleman.
On the first, which are very thin and flexible,
maps are printed. The second are of various CO.
lors, and ornamented with gold and silver leaf
and bronze. Among them, an apron of pure gum
elastic, printed with flowers of azure color and
metallic lustre, is beautiful article Mr.. Good
year has already large contract for steamboat
beds; and we particularly recommend it to our
banks, for notes made Of it could not be counter
feited. Several months will elapse before he will
be prepared to manufacture articles for the mar
ket His process, of course, is secret, for obvi-
GUS reasons. 1t is the result of assiduous labor
ana expensive trials and it is remarkable that af-
mr e, having made the discovery, he lost it, and
uio not recover it again during four months. AS
nc observes to, he will realise an immense fortune
iroh ~ uhough the articles made of it will not be
oAPen.Ne; ana when we consider its superiority
over SILK men, cotton, wool, paper, or leather
ior countess variety Of uses, we NAV reckon
Mr. Goodyear among the benefactors of man.
kind. man