History Channel - Modern Marvels S10E19 Rubber (2004)

The story of rubber is more than tires, toys, gloves, and gum it's imbedded in modern life, from the controversial Challenger O-rings to seals on hydrogen fuel cells. A gigantic worldwide synthetic rubber industry creates exotic elastomers for high-tech applications, while China's rapid industrialization plays havoc with the world's natural rubber supply. From the ancient Olmecs of Yucatan, who knew the secret of vulcanization, to modern processing plants, we trace rubber's history and future.