50th Anniversary: Natural Rubber Through the Years

This image of a worker tapping a rubber tree is undated. It was torn at some point and repaired with tape.

This image of Sir Henry Wickham is likely from the early part of the 20th century.

Coagulating latex in rubber sheet. This image was taken during a trip to Malaysia sometime around 1976.

From the 1976 press visit to Malaysia, this image is labeled "coming out of the macerator."

This image from a press visit to Malaysia in 1976 is labeled "bailing."

"The only practical method for obtaining the latex of the caucho tree."

Children smile for the camera when the press visited Malaysia in 1976.

Workers prepare the natural rubber latex during a press visit to Malaysia in 1976.

Goodyear Botanist Jim Bugansky examines one of the rubber trees in Goodyear’s Akron greenhouse, sometime around 1989.

Goodyear Botanist Jim Bugansky taps a mature rubber tree in Goodyear’s Akron greenhouse to collect latex samples for quality testing. This is likely from 1989.

Tire makers are working to ensure a more sustainable natural rubber supply chain.

A worker collects natural rubber.

A woman removes natural rubber latex that has been collected.