U.S. Manufacturer Women Owned Small Business ISO 9001:2015 Certified Toll Free 800.626.5940 Local 501.262.2700 Currently Viewing: Home About Alliance Rubber Company Fun Facts & Trivia Fun Facts & Trivia The rubber tree originated in the Amazon jungle. Currently, it grows on plantations in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the west coast of Africa. The name “rubber” refers to the ability of the substance to rub off markings. The scientific community once declared rubber useless because it was gummy in the summer, stiff in the winter, and it rapidly deteriorated. A machine called the “Masticator” allows rubber to be softened, mixed, and shaped and was invented in London in 1820 by Thomas Hancock. Rubber bands made their first debut, primitively, in 1823. Vulcanization, the heating of rubber to cause a chemical change and providing it with elasticity, was discovered by Charles Goodyear in 1839. March 17, 1845 marks the day the rubber band was patented by a man named Stephen Perry, a British inventor and businessman. A 2mm swath is shaved every other day in the bark of mature rubber trees. Latex sap slowly drips into a cup, and is collected and processed. An average rubber tree yields 19 pounds of rubber latex annually. It requires 700,000 rubber trees to supply Alliance each year with natural rubber. Trees are six years old before tapping for rubber begins and they may be tapped for up to 28 years. If we laid our annual rubber band production end-to-end, the bands would encircle the globe fifty times or cover the distance between the earth and moon 5 1/2 times. We service customers in 50 countries. Rubber bands last longer when refrigerated. Famous Rubber Bands Andy Rooney named Rubber Bands as “one of the ten greatest inventions of the century.” Sitting on Mel Gibson’s desk in the movie “What Women Want” is the Bandyball®. The Band Pic Pac adorns Tommy Lee Jones’ desk in the movie “The Fugitive.” In the movie “Memphis Belle,” the airman has a trusted rubber band. Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon, secured his gear with Alliance bands. The movie “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps” shows File Bands holding Michael Douglas’ files together when he leaves prison. Kevin Spacey Deviously Works a Rubber Band in ‘House of Cards’ Season 2 Teaser Lone Survivor tells the true story of Marcus Luttrell, the Navy Seal who survived a mission in Afghanistan in which 17 Seals lost their lives. In the movie you will frequently see our crepe parachute bands used by the Seals on their LBE – Load Bearing Equipment – around their shoulders and upper body to silence and secure their gear. Related Pages About Alliance Rubber Company Commitment to Quality Fun Facts & Trivia Common Rubber Band Terminology The History of Alliance Rubber Band Basics Testimonials Rubber Bands Size Chart Tradeshows Job Opportunities News & Events Contact Us Enter First Name Enter Last Name Enter Email Enter Company Name Enter Phone Number State / Region Questions CAPTCHA Band logy Features on the unlimited uses of rubber bands. BROWSE FULL BLOG Consumer Standard Rubber Bands Oversized Bands Wrapz™ & Strapz™ X-Treme File Bands™ EPDM Non-Latex Rubber Bands Brites® Advantage® Retail Non-Latex Rubber Bands Tie-Dye Rubber Bands STRAC Pack™ Exercise Bands Industrial Produce, Floral, and Grocers Printed Products Mail & Ship Military Grade Rubber Products Newspapers Facility and Moving Supplies Basic Commercial Rubber Bands Health Care Facilities Commercial Fishing Dry Cleaners & Laundries Food Service Tattoo Rubber Bands Custom Extrusion Manufacturing Services Ponytail, Braiding & Grooming Thrift Store Bands Where to Buy Dealers & Distributors About Alliance Rubber Company News & Events View Spanish Website Job Opportunities Tradeshows Contact Us American Flag Video Freedom Falls Video Privacy Policy Terms of Service Sitemap Copyright © 2021 Alliance Rubber Company Company. All Rights Reserved. Marketed by Thomas Marketing Services