The Mesoamerica people produced rubber from 3,500 years ago

New research by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has discovered the ancient Mesoamerican rubber production capacity 3,500 years ago, before modern science discovered the phenomenon of rubber vulcanization.

According to archaeological professor Dorothy Hosler, of MIT's Department of Materials, said that although the ancient Mesoamerican people did not invent rubber, they perfected a relatively perfect system, through the process. complex chemistry to enhance rubber properties.

These ancient people certainly knew nothing about vulcanizing rubber, a way to increase the elasticity invented by Charles Goodyear. However, with the process of self-design, they created a high-strength rubber, used to make soles of shoes, sandals, everyday utensils or even rubber balls in ancient games. old.

In addition, it is also used as a splint of some weapons such as axes.

The image of a Mesoamerica rubber ball made 3,500 years ago.

The Mesoamerican civilization developed from 2000 BC until the invasion of the Spanish empire in 1521. Currently, the ruins of civilization lie in Mexico and Central America.

The first Mesoamerican polymers have come up with a process to increase the character of rubber, with the original material being a resin of the native tree of Castilla elastica.

That stick of resin (if left to dry, they will become a hard and brittle form), containing an oil-based chemical, isoprene, mixed with the juice of ipomoea alba vine.

Later, these ancient scientists stirred the liquid mixture, until it solidified into a mixture. This is their last rubber product. The ancient Mesoamerican used their hands to shape balls, hollow statues of rubber or other rubber artifacts.

This process is almost like modern rubber vulcanization. Ipomoea alba grape juice creates cross-linking between polymer molecules, making rubber flexible, as well as separating compounds that cause hardening.

Scientists at MIT simulated the process in the laboratory, with the raw materials that the Mesoamerican people used from forests in Mexico.

Images of Mesoamerica people using artifacts and rubber balls in sacrificial ceremonies.

Through many attempts, they produced many different compositions, deciding the characteristics of rubber. With a 50-50 ratio between the sap and grape juice, the resulting rubber has the best bounce, suitable for rubber balls.

Use clean plastic to enhance the adhesion of rubber. Meanwhile, with a ratio of 3-1 between plastic and juice, the forming material has the highest durability, suitable for making shoes and sandals.

According to scientists, the ancient Mesoamerican people also spent a lot of time discovering these properties through trial and error. Up until the Spanish invasion, their rubber industry was extremely developed.

According to statistics, they have produced 16,000 rubber balls per year and a large number of rubber monuments and shoes. The largest rubber balls they have found, nearly 10 centimeters in diameter, were produced from 1,600 BC.